Many Small Defining Moments Add Up

Generations Group Homes Program Director, Aimee Clark, shares a defining moment where she realized children were coming to Generations defined by the choices they had made, and not by the people who they actually were.  Watch, share, and let us know what some of your defining moments have been.

Witnessing a Defining Moment

This week a resident with a loooong history of falling into the wrong crowd and gaining the favor of those around him through bad decisions made a profound discovery.  This child could not admit that this has been a serious problem for him.  When he sat down with his Generations' Human Service Professional for his session he finally opened up. His trust in her had grown and he finally felt safe enough to share what he has been too embarrassed to admit - that he has no idea how to make friends “the right way”. He talked about all the wrong ways he has made friends in the past admitting to gang activity, sexual aggression toward females, acting out in school, lying and whatever he thought was needed to make a friend.  He added quietly and sincerely, that if he doesn’t learn the right way soon . . . he knows he will never be anything in life.  It was a huge admission and a real defining moment for him in his work toward a successful future.

Another profound Defining Moment experienced recently when a parent heard for the first time her son take responsibility for his actions.  A big step toward his success and their family's reunification.

My defining moment was when I joined Bethel UMC in Simpsonville and learned about GGH. To find out that there is a place where young people have a second chance at a normal life with guidance from counselors, staff and caring volunteers really gave me hope. As a child I had suffered from incest and with God's help, survived. How much easier it would have been with a place like GGH to help me. (HARRIETT M. DEASE)

My defining moment....two years ago in early Spring, I planned an event for level 3/4 boys at Paris Mtn State Park. It never crossed my mind that many of these boys had never been on a hike, let alone visited a State Park. The weather, the food and the volunteers were amazing. Seems like we played yard games for hours in the sun. They kids were so very appreciative of that day and experience. So were the volunteers. It was difficult to say goodbye. We loaded the kids back on the van with some good leftover food, a day pack w/goodies and some great memories!  (Renee Lean)

Create Your Defining Moment through Volunteering

We hope you enjoy Andrea Pulliam's vingette as she tells how meaningful Defining Moments are created and shared at Generations. Please tell us about Defining Moments you have shared through your volunteer efforts, and pass this on to all who are currently volunteering, or are thinking of volunteering.  Volunteers truly make a real difference in the lives of our boys here at Generations.  Thank you all so much.

Volunteers Are Truly Special

Last night Generations' boys hosted a Volunteer Appreciation Dinner.  They planned the 1 hour, cooked the meal and served our over 100 Volunteers who were able to attend.  During the evening 11 of Generations' boys read some writings and poetry they felt expressed how much Generations Volunteers mean to them.  The one defining moment, however, is when one resident summed it all up by saying, "So what it all comes to is you all are the LIFE of Generations!"