Your News from Highfields: Highfields' Program Helps Sandra Find Her Voice

An Update for Friends of Highfields · December 19, 2016

Highfields' Program Helps Sandra Find Her Voice

Your support of Highfields helps keep families together.

When Rachel* became abusive toward her mother, Sandra*, they were referred to Highfields' Multisystemic Therapy program (MST). Now they are working through their problems together at home, thanks to you.

Sandra* and her late husband Dave* were foster parents for 40 years. They have three biological children and three adopted children. Their youngest adopted daughter Rachel* came into their foster care when she was only 10 days old. She was born a drug-addicted baby.

Sandra and Dave were told that by the foster care agency that Rachel would only be with them a short amount of time; however, they could not find anyone to adopt her. Sandra and Dave were hesitant because of their age, but they loved Rachel and decided to adopt her.

Rachel showed signs of difficulty even as a baby. As an infant, she startled very easily, and would throw her hands up over her face when she heard loud noises. Even the human touch made her frantic, which was a symptom of drug-withdrawal. Rachel had constant tantrums and screamed at unexpected things.

"She was one of the roughest kids we ever took care of," said Sandra.

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*Names have been changed

Jayvon Thrives with the Right Opportunities

Jayvon succeeds at Highfields thanks to the staff, support groups and work opportunities. He's becoming a well-rounded kid, thanks to your support.

Jayvon smiles next to his Highfields' counselor Russell Davis IV. Jayvon credits Highfields' staff for motivating him to always do his best.

Jayvon struggled in his life before coming to Highfields. He admits he hung out with the wrong crowd and was pressured into shoplifting. He had trouble following the laws of probation and was sent to a juvenile detention center. He went back and forth between different detention centers before the Judge referred him to Highfields.

"I expected a lot less from Highfields to be honest," said Jayvon. "All I had known was juvenile detention centers where there are a lot less privileges and you barely get to see the outside world."

Jayvon arrived at Highfields in August. He was immediately impressed at the opportunities he had at Highfields. He joined support groups which helped him change his way of thinking. His favorite group session on campus is called Mutual Support.

"Mutual Support is based on openness and trust in the group," he said. "You talk about problems that you have in your community, and then get feedback from your peers and the staff about how to handle it."

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In This Issue:

Sandra Finds Her Voice

Jayvon Thrives

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Events

Highfields Golf Outing 2017: Sponsored by Lyman and Sheets

Save the date for Highfields' 37th Annual Golf Outing on Monday, June 12, 2017 at Forest Akers West in Lansing!

For information about sponsorships or to RSVP, please contact Bev McGill at 517-628-2287 x332 or bmcgill@highfields.org.

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Board of Directors

Officers

Mark Emmert, Chairperson The Dart Bank	Mark Kellogg, Chairperson-Elect Fraser Trebilcock Davis & Dunlap, P.C.	James B. Hunsanger, Treasurer MSU Federal Credit Union	Wallace Markham, Secretary Retired JP Morgan Chase Bank
Sara Bennett, Past Chairperson Two Men and a Truck

Directors

Peg Asmus Community Member	Elaine Barr Legal Services South Central Michigan	Kristin Bartley Two Men and a Truck	Bill Bockwitz Retired Spring Arbor University
Bill Clark Clark Construction Company	Michael Foster Plante Moran, PLLC	Carol Giacoletto Retired JP Morgan Chase Bank	Matthew J. Greenberg Miller Canfield
Jeff Hertrich Accident Fund Holdings, Inc	Eric Jamison Michigan's Attorney General's Office	Karen Johns Retired Department of Human Services	Chivon Kloepfer WLNS TV 6
Lizzie Mills Fahey, Schultz, Burzych, Rhodes, PLC	Kris McVicar Bank of America	Nick Oertel Foster, Swift, Collins and Smith, P.C.	Doug Peters Christman Constructors, Inc.
Tom Reder Bergmann Associates	Tanda Reynolds Retired Department of Human Services	Tom Shewchuck City of Ann Arbor	Lt. Chris Simpson Jackson Police Department

Senior Leadership

Brian Philson, L.M.S.W., A.C.S.W President & Chief Executive Officer	Timothy Monroe, M.S.W., L.M.S.W., A.C.S.W., D.C.S.W. Vice President	Jill Clark, M.S.W., L.M.S.W. Community Services South Team Director
Derek Hitchcock, MA Residential Services Director	Beverley McGill, M.S. Fund Development Director	Edward St. John, MBA Finance Director
Lara Hewson, M.S.W., L.M.S.W., IMH-E® (III) Director of Quality and Education