Changing Lives

I'm often asked how we know our services really work. The answer is simple. Many come back as adults to thank us and some even return as employees or serve on our Board of Directors. They want to help today's kids the same way they were helped - It's their way of giving back.   David Ballard, CEO

Lori's Story Coming Full Circle

It was a beautiful June day in 1974. I was 12 years old, and I still remember it so clearly. Having just graduated from the sixth grade, my friends and I were busy planning our summer vacation and preparing to enter Junior High. There was much to anticipate, a new school, new teachers and new friends. Then suddenly, my world was turned upside down.

My life was forever changed the day my 15 year old sister Gale finally had enough and decided to turn my parents in for physical child abuse.

Gale's plan was to save us by running far enough away so we could safely call the police. We ran to a gas station and called the Sheriff's Department. Gale insisted that, if they took us back to that "hellhole", our home, we would run away forever! Instead, the sheriff took us to the Children's Receiving Home, and that's when my life began to really change for the better.

The memory of that day remains strong; you never forget fear like that. I can still feel it in the pit of my stomach, like it just happened. My reaction to her news was, "Oh God, Dad's going to kill us if he finds out." Gale had just 'gotten it' from Dad...that's what we called it when one of us was beaten. It was a living hell as long as his explosive rages would last. Once again, this ordeal ended with Gale battered and bruised. My mom could not, or would not, help us when his temper spilled over into physical abuse.

We began our summer at CRH. For the first time in our lives we felt truly safe. We played with other kids who had similar home problems, and the staff helped us feel accepted and secure. Most importantly, we were living without fear and just having fun as kids again. Staff counselors were there to help us talk about our home life.

As our CRH stay was ending, staff helped us make plans to live with a foster family. With fall approaching, I remember thinking again about Junior High, and how all my plans had vanished. The only thing I knew for certain was that my home and family were gone forever.

Our stay at the Home lasted 30 days. Then we went to court to find out what would happen next. My most frightening memory was knowing I would face my parents again. I was torn and confused. I still loved my parents but I wasn't sure if I would be beaten again. Would they be mad?

I didn't realize that my Dad's temper was wrong. I thought his behavior was normal. All I knew for certain was if I misbehaved, I would 'get it' and I assumed that all kids got the same type of punishment. My goal was always to be a good little girl to avoid getting hurt.

I share this story with you now because I now know that the Home saved my life. As I reflect on that traumatic time, I realize it was through CRH where comfort replaced fear and gentleness replaced violence.

My life is great today, I have a beautiful family, a successful Real Estate business and I served on the CRH Board of Directors. I am proud to say I'm the first former resident to have done so.

As a parent myself, I know the joys and stresses that come with parenthood. It is during those stressful moments that I thank God for the gifts I received from my experiences at CRH and foster care. With their help, I was able to break the cycle of abuse, make a better life for myself and equally as important, my children.

I am only one of thousands of youngsters whose lives were saved by CRH. In our community, there are still too many children who are being physically, sexually, and mentally abused or emotionally traumatized.

I hope and pray that every abused child will find a safe haven at CRH. I invite you to join me in making a difference in a child's life.

Lori Logan
Former CRH Board Member