Pro soccer player Wells Thompson tells his story including his experiences as a student and soccer player at The Family Foundation School.

Listen to the Blog Talk Radio interview here…

The program notes for the interview share:

“From Winston-Salem, North Carolina to the Family Foundation School to Wake Forest to the New England Revolution and then the Colorado Rapids MLS Soccer Teams; Wells Thompson has had an amazing life. Most MLS Pros spent their lives playing soccer, going to school then to college and then get drafted by a MLS Team. Wells Thompson took a different path but ended up ahead by landing on a winning MLS soccer team. Fans of the Revolution like myself miss seeing him on the pitch in Foxboro Massachusetts. Chance, I think not. You make the decision. It’s an amazing journey that you have to listen to on the Cruise with Bruce radio show. Today Wells Thompson is a midfielder on the Colorado Rapids MLS team. I’ve ecome a fan of Wells Thompson because I admire his courage, tenacity and faith. His first goal with the Rapids happened to be against his old team mates on the New England Revolution in the second half at the 82nd minute making it 3-0 in favor of the Rapids. Then he got a yellow card, not for the goal but for his celebration of the goal when he took off his shirt to expose the shirt below which read – John 3:16. If you’re a fan and don’t know his story, tune in to hear it. A short time later, the Colorado Rapids went on to win the 2010 MLS CUP with Wells in the midfield as a starter. Listen to Wells Thompson talk about his love of soccer and about his life with the New England Revolution and Colorado Rapids MLS Teams. Find out how his life changed when he went to the Family Foundation School when he was 14. Find out how he spent time in South Africa with the local people and their families. Are there any tips that he has for those of you who’d like to visit those countries. And find out what goals and plans he has for his life in the future.”

Alumni Writes a Song in Honor of Terry McCarthy

By Luke V.

When I think of Terry McCarthy, the first thought in my mind is his definition of love. “Seeking the greater good for another person”, he would always say. That is how Terry lived, putting other before himself. Living like this can get tough. Resentments with others can kill my capacity to love those around me. Terry would say “you cannot afford to have resentments”.

Terry would tell stories to get his point across, rather than baffle you with philosophical literature or quoting Bible passages. At the end of all Terry’s stories there was an important lesson to be learned. The day before graduation, Terry would hold a Day of Recollection. This was directed towards the graduates leaving the school, but everyone could take valuable messages when Terry spoke. I still remember to this day what Terry said about integrity. “If a person lives or dies does not matter; it is what a person lives for and is willing to die for that matters.” That is the type of man I hope to be, a man of principle and integrity.

My friend Robby and I wrote a song, “Save Me” and dedicated it to Terry. Terry always believed placing your trust in God was the answer. “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understand; in all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths” Proverbs 3: 5-6.

I am extremely grateful for getting to know Terry. He was a surrogate father to me as well as hundreds, maybe even thousands of people like me. He had a huge impact on my life, and I will never forget the life lessons he taught me.

Save Me

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.

Dear Bob & Susan,

Hi brothers, sisters, and friends! How have you been? I hope this letter finds both of you in good health and high spirits. I am writing this letter most importantly as a letter of apology/amends, and also because I feel I have received a calling from God and I’d like to share it with you and get your thoughts, and hopefully your approval and blessings. First and foremost I would like to apologize for all the havoc I reaped on you guys, Family 7, and The Family Foundation School as a whole. I was selfish to the extreme, and my biggest thing of all was that nobody was going to tell me what to do or how to live my life! I am asking now for your forgiveness, and as I’ll explain in a minute, a second chance to be a part of The Family Foundation School. I would also like to thank you for the good times that school showed me. Cookouts, trips to the movies, Washington, D.C., a day at your house watching movies, eating popcorn, and enjoying each other’s company. It showed me that somebody really did love and care about me. I am now reaching out to The Family School again. I am asking for a second chance, and for The Family School to love and embrace me again. It is my hope, and I feel also, my calling to God, to return to The Family Foundation School long-term to serve in one way or another. I can share my experience, strength, and hope at table topics and family meetings, assist with the cows and pigs, help maintenance, etc. I ask no payment from The Family Foundation School. All I would ask in return would be a place to sleep and food to eat in order to sustain myself.

I am currently incarcerated until February 2012, but I have learned my lesson for sure! It is time to grow up and mature. It is time to follow God, and give back to all those who wholeheartedly and devotedly gave to me. I am currently in the process of being officially baptized a Catholic in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and I have already reestablished contact with Father Stephen, as well as Dave Ginsberg. Fr. Stephen states that he is eager to stay in touch with me. It is my hope to immediately travel to The Family School on the day of my release, to begin the work that I feel God is calling me to do. However, I can start this work now! I am always available if somebody wishes to write a letter and ask for advice with their issues. I am still well aware of what people, places, things, etc. are considered “negative” at the Family School. I am asking for our honest thoughts and feedback on this. I am asking for your blessings, as I will be asking for the same from many other staff who still remain at The Family School who knew me. Please take your time when writing me back and give me your full and honest opinion. Father Stephen can elaborate more on how I am asking to serve the school.

I assume you’re wondering what happened to me after I left. Well, it’s not pretty, but here we go. I continued on my downward spiral. Soon after I left I had my first run-in with the law. I was arrested for criminal mischief and given 5 years of probation. I went from residential placement to residential placement. Fighting, running away, and destroying things, including the relationship with my family. Much of the same behavior I exhibited at The Family School. At 18 years old, 3 months away from a high school diploma, I signed myself out of the residential setting, and made my way to the violence and drug infested streets of Hartford, CT. I met somebody in a club that day, and 3 weeks later I was living with them and fully hooked on crack cocaine. Praise God, I never had to go as low as selling my body, but things did get pretty bad. I began stealing from anybody to get money for my next fix, which it seemed like I needed ever y 5 minutes. It was a nightmare! I got involved with a local gang and things got even worse, death, violence, adultery. It all became my life I was going nowhere fast. I continued doing drugs and within time I had conned and manipulated my family for thousands of dollars that all went towards my habit. I completely alienated myself from them. I was no longer wanted around on holidays or birthdays, my uncle, cousin and brother stopped talking to me completely. I was sleeping in the park, on church steps, on sidewalks, etc.

I never forgot The Family School and what I was taught. I found the local community of Narcotics Anonymous, and started attending meetings and meeting people. That started an endless amount of detoxes and rehabs. On and off I found myself staying clean and sober and learning how to enjoy life while doing so. I was in and out of prison, and soon found myself serving a 12 month sentence in a level 5 max. security prison. I didn’t learn my lesson, and I never gave up wanting to go back to drugs. When I was released I went directly back to the same people, places and things! One day down the road I had finally had enough. I recall that one day, riding a bicycle. I looked up to the sky and said “Lord, please help me!! This way of life has got to stop. I can’t take it anymore!” Within days I was arrested and back in prison. I didn’t see it then, but God had heard my cry for help and he intervened as he saw necessary! Now here I am. God gave me a total of 3 ½ years to get myself together, and decide what I want to do with the rest of my life. In two months I’ll have served 1 whole year of the imposed sentence. As I said, I am currently on the road to baptism and a life in Christ. I speak with my family often, and they frequently ask me what I will do with myself when I get out. I wish for nothing more than to serve God and others. I will be released, as I said, in February of 2012. I ask you one more time to take this into serious consideration, especially in the light of the fact that I feel it is God’s calling that I return to serve. This letter is by no means “jail talk”. It is sincere, genuine, and from the bottom of my heart. If you wish to share this letter with anybody, you have my full permission. If it could help somebody, or if it needs to be shown to others on the Family School Administration, please make sure they hear this letter.

R. B.

Susan and Bob,

…you are always in my heart.  I know I say this with every card I send, but there are few people in my life today who could guess the teen I had been years ago and I appreciate your guidance in helping me become the woman I am today.  I am starting to slow down.  I live in the country on a small lake.  I think I am nearing serenity…

B. P.

I remember the day I walked into the Family School; I was anxious, excited and fearful about how the next eighteen months of my life were going to be. I had pending felony charges hanging over my head and I was very fearful about going back to jail so I did what I was told from the beginning and got involved with life at the school.

I was very insecure and the way I dealt with these insecurities at home was by getting high and playing sports. Since I could not get high anymore I thought that if I played sports I would be alright. So I tried out for soccer and made the team two weeks into my stay.  The soccer team was a great group of guys, but the coaches Bill Musgrove and Carlton Williams impacted me in ways I couldn’t  imagine. They helped me to see that drugs were not my only problem and that I didn’t just make a bad decision the night I got arrested for armed robbery. Bill told me that I should be grateful for the night I got arrested. I didn’t really understand what he was saying at the time but after working on myself with my sponsor I realize that although what I did that night was horrible,it saved my life. I specifically remember one practice when Carlton said hey if anyone makes a shot from half field I will buy the whole team Mcdonalds, (Unfortunately Carlton didn’t hold up his end of the bargain when I made a half-field shot seeing it as how the team never received Mcdonalds). Thanks Carlton and Bill for everything you did for me.

A turning point in my stay was last January when the newest kid in our family at the time, Phil, had his first seminar with his parents. It didn’t go so well, seeing it as how he ran out of the room and to his parents car. He refused to leave the hood of the car unless he would get taken out of the school. After a few hours Phil realized that his plan wasn’t working, so he flipped out in the bathroom and Jan Cheripko told him he’s got to stop what he was doing. I thought Phil would get even more angry but he didn’t. He pulled his rosary out of his pocket and began to pray. He instantly calmed down. I had always believed in god before this moment but I didn’t know how real his prescense really is. Phil although we have had our ups and downs you taught me more that day then you will ever know. I want to thank you for that spiritual experience you gave to Jan, Nick, JT and I.

After that day in January I felt like I had found the missing piece to my life. I began developing a relationship with God by going to mass, working with Father Stephen and praying daily.  Since then I have been able to take responsibility for everything that I did at home and I finally started to feel like I had a purpose in life, besides getting high. Thank you Father Stephen, Nanci Newcomb, and America Restaino for helping understand what it means to be a spiritual person.

Although my stay here has been a relatively smooth one, I have had many struggles but with the guidance of my sponsor, Joe Petriella, I have been able to work through my struggles and do the next right thing. I am no longer held down by my insecurities and I thank you Joe for being there for me whenever I needed you. I love you man.

The Family School has given me the tools I need to get my life back on track but the greatest gift this place has given me is a new relationship with my family. Mom and Dad, words cant explain the gratitude that I have for everything you guys have done for me. I am not going to stand up here and make any empty promises about how great of a son I am going to be (because I have seen too many people stand up here and not fulfill their promises after they graduate) but I will say that I am going to keep my commitment to honesty that I have started at the school with you guys. Thank You for everything you did for me and I love you.

Thank You Mann House for always supporting me. I love you guys and will miss you.

To the graduating class of 2009 I leave you with a prayer by Saint Francis, “Do not look forward in fear to the changes of life; rather look to them with full hope that as they arise, God whose very own you are will lead you safetly through all things: and when you can not stand it God will carry you in his arms. Do not fear what may happen tommorow; the same everlasting father who cares for you today will take care of you then and everyday. He will either shield you from suffering or will give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations.”

Pat. C., Alumni, December 2009

The road which I am talking about would not have been in sight if not for The Family Foundation School. Before I came, I sought out what now seems like every form of self-sabotage. Drugs and alcohol just so happened to fall under this category. Overdose was not enough to stop, and misery only fueled the fire.

On April 26th 2007, I willingly came to FFS. One thing which stuck out to me from the start was the degree of happiness all around. Recovery for me did not start until months into my stay after I stopped lying to myself. I then realized the severity of my situation: life versus death. Once the doors of dishonesty were broken down, I was finally able to learn about myself. This, although a very painful process, has probably been what has helped me the most. Thank you John, Frank, Eric, and Chris for giving me the tools to break down the door.

I always thought that sobriety was like a fun-sucking leech. The friends that I have met at the Family School have taught me that this is not the case. Whether pulling pranks on Chris Barr in the dorm or watching Alex getting beat up by inanimate objects, I can honestly say that its been fun. Even ballet had its moments!

T. O.  Alumni, Dec. 2009

Tom,

You have helped me so much during my stay that words cannot show my gratitude. Working with you has been a great experience and it has also been fun. The production of Footloose helped me get out of myself and meet new friends I never would have on my own.

Thank you,

William E.

Dear Tom K,

Well Tom, I don’t really know what to say, it’s been a long ride. I have been with you and your productions since the Importance of Being Earnest. I did not really know what to expect when entering the Performing Arts work study spot, but I am truly grateful that I was put with you. You are truly an incredible human being, and I look up to you. You have become a father figure to me, and I value every talk that we ever had.

Thank you for pushing me to limits in work that I never thought I could achieve. You have taught me so many things that I will take with me when I leave here, and will keep in contact, because I will be close while at college. You have also set an example to me what a relationship with a woman is supposed to be like. I love you Tom, and will truly miss you and your humor a lot.

Rob M.