Success Stories

Manuel

Nine-year-old Manuel's father was abusive towards his mother.  Manuel's father frequently told him his mother "destroyed" the family. Manuel was an excellent student, but he displayed aggressive behavior as a result of witnessing severe violence in his home.  Manuel's mother was afraid that without help he would end up in prison, so she brought him to Project PAVE. After working with a PAVE counselor, Manuel resolved his overwhelming feelings of grief, loss and abandonment.  He learned healthy anger management skills, and is succeeding in school.

Mariah

Mariah was a five-year-old whose short life was filled with neglect, exposure to violence, and an emotionally unavailable mother. Mariah’s mother went through substance abuse treatment and counseling, but Mariah struggled with symptoms of anxiety and aggression due to feeling unsafe. She had been kicked out of two pre-schools for violence with other children; the skin on her arms and legs was scabbed from anxiously picking at it. Through counseling at Project PAVE, Mariah and her mother were able to bond and feel safe together. Mariah’s mother recognized her own childhood trauma, and was able to heal and become a more nurturing parent. Mariah expressed her anger and grief which resulted in less aggression and anxiety, and her behavior in school greatly improved.

Emma

Emma was just 17 when she became involved in an emotionally abusive relationship that culminated in a sexual assault by her boyfriend. She had previously received counseling services to address issues of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. This relationship triggered the return of all those issues. She was admitted into a day treatment program and remained at the hospital for six weeks. Emma's mother found out about Project PAVE's School-Based Counseling program through her daughter's high school website, and requested services for her daughter. Emma had low self-esteem and very little motivation to attend class. She experienced flashbacks at school, and was concerned that she would not be able to complete her senior year on time. Through counseling with Project PAVE, Emma learned to incorporate her trauma into her life. She began to use positive coping skills, openly expressed her emotions, and developed a healthy self image. She was able to graduate with the rest of her class and is now attending college with plans to become a Social Worker.