Its amazing how much the Family Foundation School shaped the life I am living now. My whole purpose consisted of drugs, alcohol and refusing to see the truth. Once I walked up those steps of FFS, I had no idea how much my life would change, for the better. I had an easy stay at the school. I was full of service and charity. The staff and other students shaped me into who I am today. I will never have bonds like I had with my friends there. The school was based on 100% pure honesty and when I practiced that, my life came into order. FFS introduced me to techniques I use everyday. Its hard work but they always say it works if you work it. But my stay did not end right after I graduated in December. I carried on a new life with what I learned.
There is not one person to thank for my new found life, but a school full of loving, caring, charitable people that want only the best for every new student that walks in the doors. To me, it wasn’t a school. It was a safe haven that nurtured me back to health, and watched over me until I knew for certain how to live on my own. The respect, patience and love that every staff member has is what makes the change in students possible. Never once was I ignored or hurt by anyone at the school. All the consequences and problems that came my way were a result of my own personal actions. Today I am much more mature and life appreciative. I value every single day for what its worth. The Family Foundation School taught me all of this and I am forever grateful.
Georgia P. – Class of 2009
What a blessing! I said goodbye to the school in late December of 2003 as a graduate. I had been a student for almost two and a half years. When asked to describe The Family Foundation School by the greater society, I have often used the words “It is the place where I learned how to be a human being.”
Prior to my experience at this school, the wisdom for how to deal with the problems of life came from four primary institutions. These were peers, family, the public education system, and the media, including television, movies, news and magazines. Most of my days growing up were spent either with friends, at school, or plugged into my television set, so any wisdom my parents tried to impart had a lot of competition. The voice of society resounded within the depths of my developing mind and its ultimate message was made clear: the message of an unbridled capitalism, a nation fixated with consumption, pleasure and escapism. The message was that of immediate gratification.
Mother Culture raised me to believe that feeling good in any given moment was the ultimate truth. I learned a different truth during my time at The Family School. “To do what I know to be right and true before what I want or feel like doing in any given moment. to the best of my ability.” I was taught that there are such things as universal truths and an objective morality. I was taught that my emotional reactions to situations are not the whole truth. I was shown that I have a soul, and that my soul needs to be fed just as my physical body needs to be fed. The spiritual food is honesty, pursuit of a connection with my Higher Power, and treating others as I would like to be treated, one day at a time.
As I marked my five years without drugs and alcohol, above all else, I know sobriety means sanity, something I know I cannot have if I pick up a drug or drink. I am an addict and alcoholic. Thank the gods, for my addiction brought me to The Family School where i was given the wisdom to live a sane, fulfilling existence. It has been an honor to come back and pass on that wisdom. I have met and worked with some truly amazing young men and woman. I will miss them so much!
M. L.
A Better, More Well-Rounded Person
