Testimonials & Feedback
Current “YDI Families” and former “YDI Kids”: If you would like to share your story with us or offer any feedback about Youth Dynamics, please contact helpkids@youthdynamics.org.
We frequently hear from “YDI Alums” who keep in touch with us as they enter adulthood. Some call a staffperson who helped them, some post to our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/ydimt), often someone will drop by our health fair booth or education display and share with us a little of their own story. While some people are happy to share their stories with the community, many prefer privacy.
What we can share with you is that the youth we serve frequently go on to lead happy, healthy adult lives. Most people would be surprised by the many business owners, professionals, good parents, community volunteers, and local leaders who are YDI Alums. Many YDI “kids” go on to become mentors, foster parents, therapists, and youth/family professionals. Others use their new skills to become soldiers, teachers, doctors, entrepreneurs, and community leaders.
For all YDI staff, the “big payoff” for our work is the healing and growth we see in the youth and families we help. Success is seeing a former client graduate from college. It’s meeting a former client’s happy, healthy family. And it’s hearing from someone that YDI saved their family. We believe in our work and we believe in your child and your family’s future.
Here are some letters and stories that families and youth have been generous enough to share with us.
Dear Youth Dynamics:
Leana has made tremendous progress with the help of Sue Arneson, Tanya Holter and Peg Guhn.
It has helped to have the home visits each week, because if a problem comes up, we are able to deal with it right away, and learn how we, as parents, can effectively handle the situation and where we need to improve in our assessment of situations, and the resolving of it. Sue has helped immensely with this.
Peg has helped all of us learn to communicate effectively with each other, and how to pick up on behaviors that are of concern. It is a great support system that really helps.
I think the group home really helped. The staff are wonderful people that truly put the kids and their problems first. I think this is important for the kids because sometimes I know that they can become secondary when parents are dealing with the stress of every day life.
Tonya was really great at getting the services and help we all needed coordinated, and at making sure the transition from the group home to home went smoothly.
I have to say a great big Thank you to everyone that helped us. The support and encouragement has been a really big help and is so important to kids and parents both.
Keep up the good work. You all really helped us and we truly appreciate it.
Dear YDI —
YDI has helped me by being able to tell others how I feel inside. Recently I have had the most fun with my FSA worker. I have been very grateful for the time we have spent together, and still will spend. We have lots of fun together by doing fun things like: folfing, swimming, fishing, movies, go cart racing, games and just hanging out.
A note from a YDI youth to a staff member:
I wish I had a mom like you. Your sons and daughters are lucky. I thought that you treated me like a mom would. My opinion. Peace out.
A note to a YDI Group Home Counselor:
I was just going to tell you why I have changed. It was cause of you. You are probably wondering why it was you. Because I looked up to you as a counselor, friend, and someone I would like to be some day. I’m just saying you are a great person, and that every kid that knows you should respect you as a counselor, and I hope as a friend. I really do want to be like you, so relaxed, respectful honest, funny and wise.
Your young pupil.