Teenager Sarah* arrived at Aspen House, a shelter for youth in crisis, devasted at having to leave her home. Even when leaving home is the safest option, it is always a traumatic experience. And this was the case for Sarah.
“When she first arrived, she sat in her room and cried, kept herself very isolated,” said Reagan Kulka, the Program Manager at Aspen House, “she just wanted to go home.”
Our team at Aspen House provides a safe place to stay for youth 11-18 from all kinds of backgrounds and situations. For up to 90 days, we provide a structured, trauma-informed environment where youth receive educational instruction, stabilization services, and we work with the family on additional support services. Youth also have access to mental health assessments and services while they are in our care, and they can participate in recreational activities.
“I’m here for the kids,” said Reagan, “watching them transition into their next position, wherever they go next, seeing them grow with us, it’s rewarding.”
Aspen House employees continued to check on Sarah, while allowing her space to grieve and process her new circumstances, inviting her to come out of her room and join in groups and socialize with other youths.
“We continued to give her space, while also making sure she knew we were there for her,” said Reagan, “eventually, she starting to come out for mealtimes, then started joining in with the other youths in our group activities.”
Providing a safe place to stay
Aspen House, besides offering 24/7 support for the youths staying there, also offers different groups for them to participate in. Art, music, trivia, as well as groups that teach healthy boundaries, coping and life skills. They also host a “Global Bites” group, where each youth can bring in different snacks and food from their own cultures and youth can learn about each other’s cultures.
“The 24/7 support with consistent staff that are always there to support and talk with youth who need it,” said Reagan, “…the structured groups and normalcy we try and provide, connecting them with their teams, focusing on getting those family connections and support on site, visits, phone calls, etc. really helps the youth in our care.”
The major turning point for Sarah was when her social workers quickly identified a family member she could live with, and the family member immediately completed the required paperwork so Sarah could live with her.
“Once she found out she was going to go live with her aunt, she was like a totally different kid,” said Reagan, “She was so happy and excited….it was a really quick process, which helped Sarah’s mental health…it’s helpful when youth’s team can quickly identify a safe place for them to go, especially if it’s someone they are related to and already have a relationship with.”
At the end of her stay, Reagan and Aspen House employees gathered to say their healthy goodbyes.
“When a youth is leaving, we do goodbye groups for them,” said Reagan, “that’s where we get all youth and staff to gather, we go over a fun memory with this youth, and they can choose to hear advice from staff, and also give any advice they may have .It's a chance celebrate their time with us…it’s really nice.”
*Names and details have been changed to protect privacy.