| 7/6/2011 | Alex, SLT Drop In Center Youth | “The (South Lake Tahoe) Drop In Center has been very helpful for me when I was living in the forest with nothing but a tent and the clothes on my back. I would always stop by for something to eat, since I am very limited on what I can spend money on. The staff are really nice women and they have helped me a whole lot in my situation. I am much more prepared to achieve my goals thanks to the Drop In Center.”
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| 6/28/2011 | Confidential | "Shawn Huestis is a wonderful and very well versed counselor. Just talking to him has helped me stay sober and learn new tools to do so." |
| 6/1/2011 | Luis Quijas, Mentor | "My name is Luis Quijas and I have been a resident of South Lake Tahoe since 1990. Around that time, there was no mentor program and we as kids needed a program like this. It would have made a big difference in our lives, especially mine. Now I get to be a mentor to Julio and it has been one of the best decisions I have made. Working with youth has always been something I wanted to do and now I am able to do it and for that I am thankful. I get the opportunity to have a relationship with an incredible six year old and we get to do a lot of fun things like playing football, soccer, flying kites, going to the park or library or his favorite thing to do, riding bikes but most important, we get to be friends. Even though he's too young to know it yet, he has made a big impact in my life. Mentoring is not only making a positive impact on a child's life but it will also make a great impact on yours. It's a win win situation to be a mentor. So come join!"
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| 5/31/2011 | Confidential | "Counseling helped me see what is really important in my life. It showed me that you don't need drugs to have fun. Made me realize how important other things are without drugs for influence." |
| 5/17/2011 | Confidential | “When I first started coming to Tahoe Youth & Family Services I was a completely lost kid. Now after coming here, I’d say I’ve grown up a lot and learned to make more mature decisions. You’ve helped me quit getting into trouble, realize life is so much better than I thought it was and most importantly, you’ve helped me become sober. I’ve been sober for about 10 months now, and I love it! Being sober has changed so many things for me...I think more clearly, make better choices and actually care about school. I have a stronger relationship with my family; I learned it’s just so much better to take responsibility and actually do something big in my life. There are still times when I am tempted to do drugs again...but I know I’m stronger than that to just give in and I love that feeling to know that I control my own life. Thank you!”
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| 5/13/2011 | Confidential | "I live one day at a time, always have and always will. I have learned that it is me who has the choice to drink or not. I am the only one who can help me. It was nice having someone to bounce ideas off. Shawn gave me stress reducing tips that I use (deep breathing)." |
| 2/1/2011 | Confidential | "Ashlee, Thank you for everything you've done for me. You are a brilliant person and you were always nice to me. From Trek to Tallac and everything you ever said to me. It told me that you are very good at your job.You are super cool and super friendly. And again thank you for helping me with my depression and anxiety...I am glad that I met you." |
| 1/1/2011 | Confidential | "This class really helped me stop freaking out on teachers and other students. It's really nice to have a place to talk to other teens who have the same issues as me. (It was)Dope! Thanks Shawn!" (from Young Men's Work group participant) |
| 1/1/2011 | Confidential | "It was nice to be able to talk about things that aren't normally discussed. It was good to have something to be able to fall back on. I learned how to deal with feelings. Good job Shawn!" (from Young Men's Work group participant) |
| 8/2/2010 | Confidential | "Thank you for the hours that you spent in confidential counseling with my daughter. The time you spent paid off in immediate positive activities such as part time work, softball and graduating from high school.
This could all have gone the other way without your help, in conjuntion with staff members at Douglas High School.
Special credit also goes to Douglas High School counselor Kris Robison for suggesting your services. She was right on target with that one. She has worked hard to turn my daughter around from suspected drug useage.
The call to you, your immediate intervention and trust building sessions all made the story have a "happy ending."
She finished school with a high grade point average.
Thanks again."
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| 6/21/2010 | Confidential | "Thank you Ashlee for giving me the greatest advice. You really do know how to make somebody get back on their feet when nobody supports their decision. I'm glad I can come to you when I need help. Thanks once again."
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| 6/21/2010 | Confidential | "Hey Ashlee!I just wanted to say thanks for everything like your support it's helped soo much! I appreciate you for being there for me. I'm glad I met you.. Can't wait for the summer!!"
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| 6/21/2010 | Confidential | "Ashlee I just wanted to thank you for all the help and support you have given me! Honestly if I didn't have all the support you have given me I don't know where I would be right now! You are the best counselor I have ever met, shoot! You're just great you've helped me so much and I know I might seem really stubborn at times but when I leave from group I feel really good talking to you! I feel like it is okay to cry...with you. So I just wanted to say thank you!" |
| 1/1/2010 | Mentor | “I know this experience has helped my mentee a lot but it has helped me beyond words. It is the most rewarding thing I have ever done. Almost every time we are together my mentee says something that fills me with joy. After I drop my mentee off at home and drive away, I always feel like the richest person alive. Occasionally my mentee will ask me if I am rich. My response is always,“ Yes, we both are because we have each other." |
| 12/1/2009 | Mentor | “My life is more rich and rewarding with my mentee in it!” |
| 11/15/2009 | Mentor | “I have been a mentor for two years and have developed a beautiful and special friendship with my mentee. I know that this is a friendship that will last forever. After being this close there is no way that I can just sign out of this program. Thank you, Tahoe Youth and Family Services, for giving me this wonderful opportunity.” |
| 11/15/2009 | Confidential | "When I was in Drug and Alcohol Abuse counseling I learned a lot. The whole program really just opened my eyes to the fact that I really am the only person in control of my life, my decisions affect my outcomes and the better my choices the better the outcomes. I can’t, by any means, say I walked in as a picture perfect person, but I can say I walked out with more knowledge and ability to say what I knew was right rather then my peers’ ideas of right. Seems as if that point and time, going to see my counselor Ashlee helped with a lot, just speaking my mind without the fear of judgment or punishment made me feel less mentally anchored down. Expression, I’ve found, is one of the absolute best releases from problems. Because of this program I am stronger and more aware and I think maybe I was supposed to end up there as a reality check, to get my crap together, and it helped." |
| 10/14/2009 | Confidential | "I just completed the parenting class at Tahoe Youth & Family. There were many things learned while attending this program. I feel the most important lesson I learned was about myself. During parenting there are many situations that occur which create tension in myself, in my child and family. I have the choice to be positive and handle them with a mature adult attitude which my kids will recognize as the way to act. If I were to be negative and childish, my kids will be affected, likewise. There is no room for negativity, especially violence as a parent and adult." |
| 10/14/2009 | Confidential | "I am writing this letter to express my satisfaction with the program I just completed regarding Parenting Strategies and Education.One of the biggest lessons I take away from this class is the tool to handle difficult co-parenting situations. I believe I have a better understanding of the obstacles that I will be facing in both the immediate future and the long term. I am confident that I can work with my children's mother to solve differences we might have. I have learned that co-parenting is in the best interest of my sons. I also feel like I have gained the confidence needed to be a capable and outstanding father. I feel these qualities will enable me to be a better parent to my children. I benefitted most from the group setting and learned that I am not the only parent that is facing difficult situations. Having others to identify with helped me in sharing my own situation and listening to suggestions. I know this program will benefit me for a lifetime and I know I will refer back to what I have learned in this class to help guide me through difficult parenting situations. Thank you again for your time and providing me with this valuable group." |
| 9/1/2009 | Confidential | "Thank you Tahoe Youth and Family for your services. I have learned so much being a client of yours. Through the garbage I’ve been through your services were always there for me. I’d like to thank Ariana, Cristie, Angie, Cindy, Lisa, and Mariana for the help. I’m going to miss everyone very much. It’s been such an experience. I feel like I had no idea who I was, but through Mariana and Ariana they showed me you don’t always have to sleep to dream. I found character and strength through this whole experience, and that’s all I’ll ever need to fight life’s demons. I’ve been inspired, now I’m going to create my own path way of happiness. Thank you." |
| 3/1/2008 | Confidential | "Well, my experience was incredible. My daughter really got the help she needed. She improved tremendously. She seems like a different girl. She is more active and has confidence in herself. Nicole made a big difference in our lives. She is a wonderful therapist. Thank you Tahoe Youth and Family Services for helping my daughter and I to heal within ourselves. This really changed our lives." |
