News & Info

Connie's Corner

Newsletter - August 2010

One of the many reasons our staff and I have chosen the social work field for our occupation is that we want to help others. We want to make a difference in the lives of children and youth. Do you ever wonder if anything you do makes a difference? This summer we have seen many reasons to answer that question with a definite YES! We have had many successful program completions with our boys at the ranch and several adoption finalizations too. WOW! These kids and families are overwhelmingly CHANGED! They have found HOPE, Faith, Love, purpose, comfort, fun, joy, and a brighter future while they have lived with us, either at the Ranch or in a Fost-Adopt home. The look on their faces, their report cards, their physical growth, their improved attitudes and behaviors, their choice of language, their ability to do chores, and ways of having fun have all had a dramatic and obvious improvement.

In addition, while I was on face book last week, I received an instant message, saying “I’m looking for Connie who lived in North Branch, Michigan. If that is you, my name is Bonnie and I want to talk to you.” Needless to say, I am who she was looking for, but I didn’t remember her. I just responded and said “Yes that’s me. How are you doing?” She went on to say that she was in a group of troubled girls from North Branch that I was trying to help when she was 14. I had taken them camping, on a canoe trip on the Ausable River, and spent lots of time with them in after school activities. She said I “Saved her life!” She is now 50 years old, married with children and grandchildren. She also asked me to forgive her because on our canoe trip I asked her if she was drinking and she said no. She told me she had lied as she had brought a bottle of vodka with her on the trip. She felt awful for lying to me, to my face. I had told her, “Ya gotta wanna” make changes in the choices you are making if you want to live a fulfilled life and have a hopeful future. To this day, she loves nature and takes her children and grandchildren on canoe trips on the Ausable River every summer. She loves God and knows that He loves her. Her life hasn’t been easy, but she attributes the times I spent with her as significant in her development. She also tells her children, “Ya gotta wanna” … be a good person. I was shocked to hear from her and realize that something so simple and natural for me made such a huge difference in her (as well as her children and grandchildren) ... starting 36 years ago! Therefore, I want to encourage YOU in the simple things that you do to make a difference in the lives of your children, grandchildren, and friends today! You will have opportunities to make a difference TODAY! Your words and actions have such an impact. Remember ... “Ya gotta wanna!”

ALSO, plan NOW to attend our 9th Annual Fashion Show Luncheon on October 23 @ TorNino’s. We are also putting out a casting call for models, if you are interested. Clothing will be provided from Cold Water Creek and other retail stores in Fig Garden Village. Brenda Buckingham, a local Modeling Businesswoman, will be our Fashion Show Coordinator. Call the office at 437.1144 for more information. Tickets are only $35 or a table of 8 for $280 or become a corporate sponsor for $500.

This month your donation will go toward back to school clothes and supplies for our kids. Many of our kids have grown out of their clothes from last year. Growth spurts are expensive. Our first day of school will be August 12. We have one new teacher and a new principal this year due to cut backs in the Golden Valley Unified School District budget. Pray for all of us as we meet the change challenge ... “Ya gotta wanna!”

Your HOPE (Help Other People Everyday) Dealer,

Connie R. Clendenan, CEO Valley Teen Ranch

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