Every child deserves a chance…

A 12-year-old boy came to Ellis this past November after being through six different foster placements, group homes, and afterschool programs. Jonathan, as we will call him, has lived a difficult life and has struggled with homelessness, foster care, and as well mental health issues. He has been diagnosed by doctors as having Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD), aggression and adjustment disorders. Jonathan has been removed from his mother’s care due to neglect and removed from schools and placement homes due to anger and aggression. Jonathan now lives with his foster mother and was referred to Ellis Memorial Afterschool Program.

In the initial intake, the Department for Children and Families ( DCF ) met with the Ellis social worker and explained that Jonathan has never had friends his own age, due to trauma. He has continually regressed and represents like a 9-year-old.

Ellis prides itself on taking on these at risk youth, with tough backgrounds in hopes to give them a stable caring environment that will help increase their peer relationships as well as support their educational needs.

Jonathan has now been at Ellis Memorial for over two months. Initially, he had a hard time adjusting to yet another new placement. Ellis’ after school staff greeted him with open arms; support and understanding of his background, and worked hard with him to get him comfortable with his peers and counselors. Ellis is now one of Jonathan’s favorite places to attend. He has made great friends with another program participant who is the same age as Jonathan. This is the first time in this young mans life that he has had a friend to talk to play with and look forward to seeing everyday after school. His DCF worker says this friendship has made a huge positive impact on J.N’s life and he is improving in his attitude, and school work. He is improving with each day as he spends more time in our Ellis afterschool program. We have created the FIRST stable environment and the FIRST close friend this boy has ever had in his entire life.

With your gift, we can continue to help more School Age children in the City of Boston.
It only takes a moment to make a difference in the life of a young child.

Please give today!