Seven of Our Favorite TLC Successes Of 2021 (So far)
Our group home for young women ages 16 to 21, Teens Learning Choices, has been going through some major evolutions under the leadership of Program Director Karlah Paul and Clinical Case Manager Maddie Summers. This dream duo is always working on better ways to run TLC effectively and to provide cutting-edge, trauma-informed, truly beneficial care to our young residents. As a result, TLC has seen major improvements! We wrote about the group home’s growth and change back in January of this year, and we have some exciting new updates to share with you.
1. All of the residents are working toward their futures!
All our residents are either in the process of searching for jobs, have a job, or are in school. Four of TLC’s eight residents are in school, six are working, and two are currently applying to internships and jobs.
2. Everyone knows they can always count on support from leadership.
Program Director Karlah is hands-on with both her team and the residents. Staff and residents know that if they need Karlah but she can’t be there, Putnam Place Program Director Randi Souza will be there to support.
3. The residents are deeply engaged in social justice.
After the Atlanta spa shootings, our residents put up signs around the house to help their Asian neighbors feel safer in the neighborhood. Currently, residents and staff are working with the Malden PD to create a stronger positive relationship between the house and the police force.
4. Residents are starting to feel like they can trust adults again.
Many of our residents (and teenagers in foster care in general) struggle with trusting adults, for good reason: they may not have had a consistent, safe and supportive relationship with any adult in years. But our staff are doing such a good job connecting with the girls. They are consistent, encouraging and warm toward all our residents. Our staff are modeling what healthy, supportive relationships with adults look like for our residents, which will be very important for them after they leave our care.
5. Every Sunday, a Milieu Counselor takes residents (who want to attend) to church.
This regular activity for the girls who are interested is a positive way for them to meet and connect with other folks in their community who share their values. Thank you to Milieu Counselor Cassy Jean-Francois for providing this awesome opportunity!
6. All residents are currently in therapy.
There are many different types of therapies, and our residents are interested in trying out different things! Some of the residents are participating in animal therapy and music therapy, which has been really important for them.
7. There’s a lot of artistic interest in the house!
One resident is learning the trumpet at school, and she loves practicing at TLC. Other residents enjoy expressing themselves through painting, and two are learning photography.