The Roundup May/June 2011 - Cal Farley's

Girlstown, U.S.A.Classof 2011Vivian HartThis vivacious girl went fromliving in a homeless shelter asa teenaged runaway, to earningher high school diploma oneschool year ahead of time.“What I’ve come from Ishouldn’t really hide, because Ithink people could learn frommy mistakes,” she shares. Themorning Vivian ran away fromhome, she packed her backpackfull of her favorite clothes andher Pikachoo stuffed animal andleft to face the world – all aloneat age 15.The caseworker at the shelter called Julie Skarich at the Austin CalFarley’s Family Resource Center. Julie helped Vivian work throughthe crisis situation she was experiencing and worked even harder toget Vivian to Girlstown within three months time.“I met Vivian and began working with her family in May of lastyear,” recalled Julie. “She, at first, was against going to Girlstown,but warmed to the idea over time. Ultimately, she decided to go toplacement and has done extremely well.”After Vivian arrived she was offered the opportunity to participatein the STARR Program, which is an accelerated credit recoveryprogram. She applied herself and finished two years’ of courseworkin one year’s time.“I stayed determined,” Vivian explained. “I’m an A student.I am really proud of myself. If I hadn’t received the support fromeveryone at Girlstown, I don’t know where I would be right now.I would probably be doing drugs; I would probably be with the sameboyfriend. My eyes have opened so much. It has been so amazingto hear, ‘Wow, Vivian you’re graduating.’ I never thought I wouldhear that.”Vivian will remain at Girlstown until she is 18. This summer, shehas enrolled in a certified nurse’s assistant program and will thenattend college. She hopes to become a physician.“I will miss this place. I am so glad that I am in a controlledenvironment. I’ve learned so many life skills here. I knew survivalskills, but I’ve learned life skills. I have better coping skills, and alltogether I have grown up.”Note to Donors“I’d probably cry talking to them. They helped to change mylife. This took me out of a terrible place and gave me a future.It just means so much.” – Vivian HartShannon ScottShannon went to live with hergrandparents when she was inthe sixth grade. Her mother livesin Mexico with her boyfriend andher father has been in prison. Hertime at Girlstown has had its upsand downs, she said. “I’ve fallenon some hard times, but you getthrough them,” she shared.She has remained a good studentand this year placed first in DistrictUIL Spelling. She will graduatewith honors.Shannon will remain at Girlstown until she turns 18. She plansto become a nurse.Note to Donors“If it wasn’t for the donors, none of this would haveever happened. What they have done for us is amazingand we are extremely grateful. I got the opportunity tochange.” – Jodeci VirgoJodeci VirgoJodeci came from Denver, Coloradonearly four years ago. The strongmindedteenager had been rebellingin every way she could. “Had I notcome to Girlstown, I would have endedup pregnant or dead or in jail. It waspretty bad.”Jodeci’s mom worked with a BoysRanch alumnus who suggested she callCal Farley’s for help. Jodeci said thatGirlstown has helped her whole familyhave stronger relationships with eachother. “It is drastically better,” she said.Jodeci attended Whiteface High School and has been activein band, journalism, UIL, and she has been a cheerleader forseveral years. She plans to attend college and major in sociology andsocial work.“With everything that Girlstown has done for me and helped methrough, I want to be able to help people back. I have friends whoI wish they could have lived here. It would have helped them a lot.It’s sad to see them not have that opportunity to change.”9