As a new
student at school, Lily was enrolled in Catholic Charities’ Neighborhood Youth Outreach (N.Y.O.)
program located at St. Joan of Arc Church/school
in Indianapolis to help
her adjust to her new situation. She had recently been removed from parental
care and placed in the care of an estranged aunt. The situation was traumatic
and Lily's attitude clearly reflected the turmoil she had experienced. It was a
struggle adjusting to the academic and social demands of
her new environment – a new school, a new city, and social interactions with an
unfamiliar student population that didn’t mirror her former life experience.
In the
beginning, Lily did not like attending the N.Y.O. after-school program and she
expressed her dislike in several ways – leaving the facility without the
authorization of staff or her guardian, refusing to bring her homework so it
could be completed, outbursts of anger, and many moments of being
disrespectful. As the N.Y.O. staff worked with Lily and her aunt to help with
the adjustment of a new environment, improvements began to take root. The
N.Y.O. staff provided help, listened to Lily’s concerns and worries, and she
began to feel hope. She knew she was not alone.
Lily began
to respond positively to her teachers, her outbursts were fewer, and her
detentions far less frequent. She began completing her homework and class work;
and of vital importance, she developed friendships; all while her interaction
with the N.Y.O. staff beautifully flourished.
Lily has
developed a relationship of trust with our N.Y.O. staff. She communicates her
good school days and her bad school days – and while she works very hard not to
have bad days, it is always communicated to her that everyone has their ups and
downs. Lily has recently emailed her grades to the staff to show her effort and
commitment. We are so proud of her growth and determination, and Lily has
learned to take pride in a job well done and making wise choices.
For more
information about the N.Y.O. program, please contact us at 317-283-6710.
