Mariah is deeply grateful for the support her family received through FSRV’s Youth Development Program. When her son was diagnosed with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and ODD (Oppositional Defiant Disorder), she wasn’t sure where to turn. Like many parents facing similar challenges, she simply wanted someone to understand her child and help him succeed.
Through FSRV, her son was able to attend counseling sessions both at our office and at the West End Center, one of our valued after-school partners. For Mariah, even the experience of coming to FSRV made a difference. She remembers sitting in the welcoming waiting area and feeling something she hadn’t always felt in other places which was comfort. “I felt like family there,” she shared,
During this time, the West End staff along with FSRV’s Youth Development Specialists watched Mariah’s son come into his own. When he first began attending more than a decade ago, he was having behavioral issues and did want to talk with anyone. However, with encouragement, counseling, and the supportive environment around him, they began to see a remarkable transformation.
Mariah said that the counseling sessions made a tremendous difference. Because her son had experienced a rocky relationship with his father, having a positive male role model in his life was incredibly important.
“ [My son’s counselor] was such a positive influence,” Mariah said. “The sessions didn’t even feel like counseling. It felt like he was just talking with a friend.” He always spoke so highly about his counselor.
That sense of care and personal connection is what stood out most to Mariah throughout her family’s journey. Reflecting on the years of support her son received from both FSRV and the West End Center, she shared something that speaks to the heart of our mission: “Everyone knows him so well. He’s not just another kid.”
Stories like Mariah’s are possible because of the generosity of supporters who believe every child deserves to be seen, supported, and given the opportunity to thrive.
