A publication of Sheridan House Family Ministries
1700 South Flamingo Road • Davie, FL 33325 • (954) 583-1552 • www.SheridanHouse.org
March 2015
Family Is The Key!
Honoring Christ by Serving the Needs of Children and Families
The Story of David’s BEHAVIORAL BREAKTHROUGH
Dianne described David as, “a disrespectful, disobedient boy who does not want to be corrected.” Ironically, David didn’t exhibit any of these behaviors to us at Sheridan House. In fact, he was staying out of trouble and complying with the program rules. Dianne continued to report that his negative choices and disruptive behaviors were still continuing at home almost every weekend. Confused, the staff quickly realized David was abiding by the rules while at Sheridan House, but purposely releasing his anger and frustration at home. After seven months in program the “real” David decided to surface. One evening after being corrected for not completing a routine kitchen responsibility at Sheridan House, David released the pent up frustration, disappointment, sadness, and pain of the past. He rushed out of the home David refusing to finish his task, spewing disrespectful comments at the staff, and threatening to runaway. BREAK-THROUGH!! Because of this outburst, David was finally able to experience unconditional love from his Sheridan House family. Yes, there were consequences, but he was able to see that we still loved him. Part of that love was to experience forgiveness. He had the opportunity to experience forgiveness. Now the love of Christ finally made sense to this child. This was a love that he knew he didn’t deserve, but he was given anyway. The house parents and behavioral specialist came alongside David and let him know he would be held accountable for his actions, but would also be forgiven, supported, and guided in learning better ways of coping with responsibility. David lost most of his points that day, but after experiencing firm and benevolent authority at Sheridan House, he began the process of accepting the results of his choices. He began to obey those who were teaching him, and trusting the ONE who made him. Dianne now says, “David is amazing me; he is behaving so well I can’t even believe it!” We are all looking forward to David’s upcoming graduation from Sheridan House and his transition into manhood.
FAMILY IS THE KEY… IT WORKS!
A Note From Bob -
FAMILY IS THE KEY!
David’s story is typical, but there’s another very important element. Years ago the staff at Sheridan House realized that each child who lives in our homes offers us the opportunity to get to the whole family. It’s not about working with the child and sending him home. It’s about working with the child to help the entire family. We accept each child into our program with the stipulation that the family will come for help. We accept the child to get to the family. Many of our children come from great homes that just need a little help to set up a consistent parenting approach. Some of these children come from a family system that needs a lot of parenting help. As one parent put it, “I have so much training for so many things in my life, but I’ve never had any training to be a parent. That’s what Sheridan House has done for me.” When we have our initial interviews with the parent of a potential Sheridan House candidate, we make it very clear that we have weekly Parenting Training Meetings, individually and in a classroom setting. These parent meetings are mandatory. The goal is to send the child back to a family that has been trained to support all the incredible progress the teen made while he was at Sheridan House. A second goal is to help the parent while we have one of their children so we won’t need to have all of their children. We take the child to get to the family and …
It works!
YOUR support will CHANGE a LIFE! As a Sheridan House monthly investor your gift helps provide: Use the enclosed envelope to send your gift.
Go online and make a one-time donation at www.
SheridanHouse.org/give then click guest and follow the prompts. [Or, go online and set up a secure recurring donation at www.SheridanHouse.org/give. If you need assistance, we can guide you through the process. Call 954-583-1552.] Set up a recurring, monthly donation with your personal online banking system. Monthly Giving is a tremendous blessing because it helps us budget our money throughout the year. When you support Sheridan House as a monthly donor you are changing the next generation – for Christ’s sake.
Legacy Giving or Planned Giving is about making a lasting impact for God’s Kingdom. It doesn’t have to be something you give after you are gone… you can witness it and show your children and your grandchildren, “This is what our family does.” Putting your name on a building project or on the future of a ministry is not about lifting you up. It’s about training the next generation. • Marriage and Parenting Seminars and the ParentingOnPurpose.org daily podcasts, blog and radio show. • Counseling services to help families and marriages stay on the right path.
• Life skills, training and support for single moms and their children. • Residential homes for boys and girls dealing with behavioral and emotional problems.
Get Tagged!
SheridanHouse
1700 S. Flamingo Road, Davie, FL 33325 (954) 583-1552 • sheridanhouse.org
Send us a picture with your Family Values License Tag and we’ll highlight you too.
Send your picture to: info@sheridanhouse.org
The $25 specialty plate is tax-deductible and directly helps the children and families served daily by Sheridan House Family Ministries.
Join Us in Driving Family Values Home. It’s as Easy as 1,2,3! STEP 1: Please visit your local Florida Tag Agency www.flhsmv.gov/locations STEP 2: Invest in a Family Values License Plate STEP 3: Encourage your family and friends to do the same
Your contributions are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Division of Consumer Services by calling toll-free (1-800-435-7352) within the state. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by the state. Sheridan House Family Ministries registration number is CH24786.
35th Annual Sheridan House
Spring Auction
Family Is The Key
Silent & Live Auction • Bake Sale Photo Booth • Hay Ride • Kids Games The 35th annual event begins at 6:00pm Location: Sheridan House Main Campus 1700 South Flamingo Road • Davie, FL 33325
Friday, You’re Invited! Mar. 27, 2015
Register online today at: www.sheridanhouse.org/auction
$25.00 entry fee per person. Space is limited. Dinner, beverages, and desserts will be served. Country attire suggested.
You are cordially invited to attend
The Sheridan House Golf Invitational at Old Palm Golf Club Monday, April twentieth, two thousand and fifteen At seven forty five in the morning