The following letter was written in reference to John*, one of our kids on scholarship through the P.O.W.E.R. of Play. John has been a part of our program for several years. Please read on and find out how your generosity has so positively affected his life and why our community’s support is so important to the scholarship program…
I’m not sure that there are sufficient words to thank you, Ricky and the Foundation for all that you are doing for John! Proehlific Park is his oasis in a very chaotic life, and he is smiling for the first time in months. I’m not sure if the Foundation is aware of his back story, so I wanted to drop a quick line to personally let them know what their generosity means, how it so positively affects John’s life.
I am a Guardian ad Litem for Guilford county and came to meet John (a 13 year old 7th grader) when he entered into the custody of the Department of Social Services in January of this year. His biological mother became unable to care for him and initially he was placed in the custody of his biological father. John did not know his father very well as his parents were estranged early in his life. Within 5 days of John's placement, his father died. John has since been placed with a foster family and they have offered a stability that I’m not sure has ever been available to him. He is such a great kid, his strength/resilience amazes me...
When I approached John with the possibility of attending Proehlific Park, it was my hope that a structured program would assist his foster family in assisting John. The trauma of what was/is happening was wearing on him and his grades were failing. Their efforts at teaching him how to do and turn in homework were creating additional turmoil in the home. He was blending into the foster family as much as is possible, but collectively we thought he would benefit from the structure of an ASC program and being able to socialize with kids his own age. I need to be specific here - John on any given day is what I would describe as very, very shy. He is so bright and extremely respectful, but (like most teenagers), you have to pull info out of him. When I suggested the possibility of attending Proehlific Park, his face lit up like times square - I literally could not get a word in edgewise. He was so excited! I left thinking - I’m not sure how, but I am going to make certain that this becomes reality for him.
Because John is placed with a non-licensed foster family, they receive no financial assistance or compensation for his care. I could not ask them to do any more financially than they are already doing. I immediately submitted an application with DSS for financial assistance and approval to attend, got the approval, but the financial assistance is still pending. Then I met with you :)
John told me how much he loved being at Proehlific, what I didn’t know was the concern for him that you and the other staff members had been experiencing since he stopped attending. You were looking for him and I was looking for a way to get him to you - it still gives me goose-pimples when I think about it! I am humbled every time I try to find words to thank you, not only for the financial generosity of the foundation, but for the love and concern for John that the entire staff offers. I know he is safe and loved when he is there. I know that you offer him a place and time to be a “normal” kid without having to hold the burdens of his chaotic world on his shoulders.
I was visiting with John last Thursday and I asked him if it was ok with him if I wrote this letter and he was emphatic when he said yes. I asked him to tell me why he likes Proehlific Park so much and he responded “I like to play there - mostly Basketball. Coach J is my favorite, sometimes he plays with us if we need players - he’s really funny” He said he really liked Ricky also, when I asked him why he responded “ he’s nice........and he’s famous”. He told me that he attends on average 4 days a week and that he has made new friends - this made my heart soar :)
John’s grades have significantly improved - with the efforts of his foster family and the structure of your program he is one “C” shy of “A/B Honor Roll”. John is more confident than he was 2 months ago and is making new friends. For 8-10 hours a week he is able to be a kid shooting hoops with no cares. John is smiling.
That is what the generosity of the foundation and love from you, Ricky and your awesome staff have afforded a very deserving child - and that in my opinion is priceless!
Thank you for being his Oasis!!
*Name changed to respect the privacy of the child
Tuesday, November 29, 2011 at 04:00PM