Tom was raised by a single parent, his mother. He has only met his father one time. Although, he can’t remember how old he was when he met his father; he remembers this meeting because he met him while he was in jail. He remembers being small and scared.

From age 11 through 14, Tom lived with friends of the family and was in and out of the foster care system due to his mother’s ill health from alcohol abuse. At age 14 when Tom’s mother died he entered the foster care system on a permanent basis.

For the next three years Tom was in the foster care system being placed in three different homes and group homes. After getting into trouble with a criminal charge he was temporarily placed in a youth detention center and then placed with a great Aunt and Uncle from August 04 to January 05. In January 05, Tom was placed in a long term treatment facility until October 05 when he came to PA Kids and entered the Independent Living Program.

Tom came to PA a bright but shy, quiet young man. When he spoke he was articulate and caring. He seemed to lack self- confidence. I first saw Tom laugh and smile on Christmas day when he opened his gifts. He said this was the best Christmas he had ever had.

After three months in the on campus school and getting straight A’s we enrolled Tom in the 11th grade at the local high school.  He participated in wrestling, cross country and track, while at high school.

There seemed to be a change in Tom his senior year. He was confident of himself, spoke directly to you and always gave good feedback in group. He was a quiet leader. He maintained an A average in school and was determined to graduate high school and go to college.

In May of this year, Tom graduated from high school with a dual diploma and was accepted at a university in the state of Georgia. The main question that Tom had when he was leaving for college was what will I do for the holidays when everyone else goes home? Our reply was “You will come home to be with your family at Project Adventure Kids!!!!”  That left a smile on Tom’s face!