Family Advocate Oct 2014

A publication of Sheridan House Family Ministries

1700 South Flamingo Road • Davie, FL 33325 • (954) 583-1552 • www.SheridanHouse.org

October 2014

It Works!

Honoring Christ by Serving the Needs of Children and Families

A Note From Bob -

It’s a Slow Process With a Spectacular Result When a child comes to Sheridan House he comes with all his baggage. Not just clothes. The baggage is in the child’s heart. Some kids bring hate and others bring distrust. Something in their lives has caused them to rebel or completely shut down. It’s our job at Sheridan House to hold the child accountable while helping them unload the baggage in their heart.

As you can tell in this month’s story, it takes a coordinated effort. Sheridan House not only works with the child, we also work with the family. It’s a requirement for every parent to take our parenting courses while their child is in the program.

The most important part of the program, however, is helping the child develop their faith in Christ.

To change the behavior of a child without introducing the child to Christ is just a short term solution. That’s why we have morning Bible Studies with the children. That is also why we work closely with local churches.

Sheridan House is not a Para-church organization; but an arm of the church.

We exist to serve the church.

The key to Alex’s transition was a consistent, loving environment that pointed him to Christ.

Without a heart change, a child can go through the motions of learning the program and graduate. Yet if there is no heart change, when he is out of the program he reverts to his old ways.

A heart change is what makes Sheridan House graduates leaders in our community. Alex’s heart compelled him to come back to Sheridan House and serve as a volunteer. It Works because of Christ!

When Alex came to Sheridan House, one thing was obvious; he hated being here. His demeanor, speech, and actions made it clear that he hated the fact that he was in this program.

Though he seldom spoke, he expressed his discontent to staff members and other authority figures in a passiveaggressive way. He ignored requests, broke rules, and purposely agitated his peers behind closed doors. Alex hated his placement at Sheridan House so much that it extended into his weekend choices when he was home with his mom. He was determined to make her regret her decision to enroll him in the residential program.

Many of our newly enrolled boys go through a phase during their time in the program when they deliberately try to get dismissed. When they realize the self-inflicted consequences they have to endure, however, they usually change their choices within weeks. Alex was unique. Although the program was implemented consistently, both here and at home on weekends, he would not relent. He spent most days out in the field refusing to pull weeds, far beyond the usual two to three weeks.

One night after sitting in the field refusing to weed for two hours after school, Alex got up, walked to a staff member and simply said, “Okay, what do you want me to do?” He began to comply with rules; he transformed his attitude: HE BEGAN TO CHANGE. For the next six months he was a different child. He admitted his mistakes; he accepted consequences; he achieved many of the program goals; HE WAS CONVINCED. Alex got to know Jesus and accepted Him while at Sheridan House. As a result of Alex being saved, his mom began attending Church by the Glades and she also accepted Christ into her life.

Last summer when Alex was in town visiting his grandmother he stopped by Sheridan House and asked if he could volunteer to serve and help during the summer program. He spent two weeks assisting the teachers and instructors and serving the boys in the program.

The boy who once did everything to get away from this place chose to serve here. IT WORKS!!!

Benefiting Single Parent Families in need Hosted by: Sheridan House

Get Tagged!

Send us a picture with your Family Values License Tag and we’ll highlight you too. Be creative. Have fun. Spread the word!

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: Go to familyvaluestag.com Step 2: Invest in a Family Values License Plate Step 3: Encourage your family and friends to do the same Join us in providing the makings of a Thanksgiving meal for a single parent family in need Here’s how you can help: 10-12 lb. Frozen Turkeys Canned Foods: Green Beans, Corn, Yams, Cranberry Sauce Dry Goods: Instant Mashed Potatoes & Stuffing Donate to this outreach online at: Sheridanhouse.org/fooddrive Kindly Deliver Donations by November 7th to: Sheridan House 1700 South Flamingo Road Davie, FL 33325 Questions? Contact Pierina at: (954) 414-3392 or ppisani@sheridanhouse.org

1

3 ways

you can help to change lives

2

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.]

3

Set up a recurring donation with your personal online banking system.

As a Sheridan House monthly investor your gift helps provide:

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 children dealing with behavioral and emotional problems

Please consider becoming a Sheridan House Family Investor.

Together we can make a difference and together we can change this culture!

By each of us giving a little each month, we can work together and make a huge difference in the lives of literally thousands of children and families.

SheridanHouse

1700 S. Flamingo Road, Davie, FL 33325 (954) 583-1552 • sheridanhouse.org

Make Plans Now to Attend Our 32nd Annual

SHERIDAN HOUSE

Golf

Tournament

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.

Thursday, November 6, 2014 WOODLANDS COUNTRY CLUB 4600 WOODLANDS BLVD. TAMARAC, FL 33319

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Registration and Lunch: 11am Shotgun Start: 12:30pm Dinner & Awards to follow

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T oda y ’ s F am i l y