The Charlton School

July 20, 2011

Mr. Alex Capo, Director of Treatment

The Charlton School

 Dear Alex,

The enclosed survey does not do justice to the services Charlton provides for the girls in your custody and their families.  There were many places where I would have liked to add a column that read strongly agree, particularly items two, three, six and seven.

In the fall of 2008 Tom and I were at the end of our rope, and the rope was rapidly fraying.  We did not want to let Alyssa leave our home but we had no other choice.  Placement at Charlton became a viable alternative especially since Alyssa's psychiatrist had sugested.

We have no doubt that without the Charlton School and their excellent staff, Alyssa would not have made the process that she made.  The cottage program with the "girls group" counseling was a large help for Alyssa to learn how to deal with herself as a young woman as well as to learn to work with others.  The incredible, understanding and knowledgable cottage staff were there for us whether Alyssa was at home for the weekend or at the cottage and having emotional issues.  Sharon definitely became Alyssa's "mother" away from home as well as our lifeline when things got rough.  Alyssa got to the point that she was relating well with all the staff but we belive that she had a soft spot some staff more than others.

It has only recently that we learned that Nora had spent a great deal of time with Alyssa when she was having all of her stomach problems.  Nora taught her to breath through them the way you do with Lamaze breathing.

We know that we had some rough spots during the last year but those too were able to be worked through with your help.

Thak you again for all that Charlton did to help Alyssa during the past two and a half years.

"Once again I would like to thank The Charlton School for the great support that you have given me over the course of four years at the University at Albany. You really do not know how much I am grateful and appreciative. I've come a long way and to overcome my struggles I had The Charlton School to assist me. I will be graduating in December of 2003 and I will be sending invitations for those who know me to attend. I will be pursuing my Master's in Accounting in September of 2004. I know I will still have your support. I know that The Charlton School wants nothing but the best for individuals and to help them pursue their dreams. Please send my thanks to everyone and hopefully I will see you in December. Again, thank you so much Don Marshall and the Board of Trustees for your support." 
Lola

"Thank you for allowing me to express to you how important, your scholarship has guided me into the field of health. I applied my scholarship award toward intro into Dental at Hudson Valley Community College. The course was very comprehensive and informative. The scholarship allowed me to purchase my text books, and prep material review for the NYS Dental Assistant License for New York State. That's not all, I've been accepted at Seton Women health at St. Mary Hospital in Troy, NY. I'm presently assisting a oral surgeon. I am continuing my studies in the fall. "

Damonica

"Hi, my name is Georgiana. I am 26 years old, I am a mother of two, and I am a student. I once was a Charlton girl just like you.

I came to Charlton in 1992 as a child, a scared, hurt, and lonely child. I didn?t love myself and I didn?t think anyone else did either, including the ones I needed the most. I had been to two places prior to Charlton, a total of three years in placement already. I was so close to loosing all hope of a brighter day. Well, to me Charlton was the light at the end of my dark and lonely tunnel. To this day and beyond I will never forget the people who showed me how to love myself and showed me what it felt like to be loved and supported. Even when I acted like a jerk, or lied about doing stuff I wasn?t supposed to, or ran away, they forgave me and I still felt like I had a .family. I had to learn my lessons of course. I paid my prices, but I was never hurt, or put down, or deprived. I didn?t always make the right decisions but there was always someone there to help me back on the right path.