Adolescence can be a challenging time for many students. For Ana*, everything felt wrong and she feared this was just the beginning.

The eighth-grader reached out for help, requesting to meet with the Family & Children Services’ therapist placed at her school. 

Ana told her therapist that she often felt depressed and alone. She needed to vent her anger and frustrations, her sadness and confusion. She worried that, without a safe outlet, she would lose her self-control and start fights. She knew that would create more problems and leave her more alone.

During weekly sessions, Ana shared whatever was bothering her, grateful not to be judged.

She revealed feeling great stress due to her family’s financial difficulties. This was compounded by the loss of her closest friend who had moved  away and stopped responding to Ana’s texts or emails. Hurt and confused, Ana had withdrawn from everyone.

Through counseling, Ana gained insight into her feelings, relationships, and reactions to situations. She began to talk   with her classmates again and reconnected with a trusted aunt. She was excited to share that she was making friends.

Thanks to the support of our donors, we were able to be there with free, professional counseling services when Ana needed a caring adult and a safe place.

At the end of the school year, Ana was optimistic about starting high school in the fall.

“When I feel stressed, I’ll remember what you taught me,” she said. “And I’ll remember to get help when I need it!”

Learn more.

Donate today, and you can help to support the emotional and social development of local children and youth.

* Names changed to protect confidentiality.