Cole's Story
Tonight, eleven-year old Cole* will eat dinner, do his homework, get ready for bed, hug his parents and fall asleep knowing that he is safe and loved. Sounds like a typical evening, right? Not quite, because for most of his young life, Cole has only known pain and fear.
He can still remember being locked in a dark basement by his dad and told he must fight his siblings if he wanted to eat. He remembers that affection and love were shown through violence and aggression and his own safety and survival depended on how well he could protect himself.
Eventually, Cole was taken away from his abusive parents. But his experience with them was traumatizing. He grew aggressive, violent and emotionally detached.
To overcome his fears, Tennyson Center staff used grounding techniques. Cole slept under weighted blankets, had flashlights and would help to lock the cottage doors at night so he knew that nobody could hurt him. When he wasn’t feeling safe, he would tell his staff that he needed a hug and they would hold him until he calmed down.
One day, a couple who were interested in volunteering with a child came to Warren Cottage for a tour. Cole was asked to show them around. After the tour, he looked at the couple and said, “I want you as my volunteers.” And they agreed. For the next 9 months, Cole looked forward to every Tuesday and Saturday and eventually Sunday when he got to spend time with his volunteers.
A few months ago, Cole’s volunteers became certified foster parents. They decided that they were meant to help Cole as more than his volunteers. “We believe that God put us together,” they said. Today, Cole lives with his foster parents and attends a day treatment program in a public school.
So tonight as Cole falls asleep in his new home there will be 50 other children going to sleep in the cottages at Tennyson Center. Like Cole, they will each be struggling with their own fears, anger, pain, and sadness. And like Cole, our staff will search for ways to reach each troubled child. Because every child deserves to know safety, hope and love.
If this story touches your heart, please consider making a donation to help us with the costs of serving other children just like Cole. Click here to donate now!
***In oder to protect the anynominity of our clients, psyedonms and representative pictures are used.
©2006 Friends of Children
Tennyson Center for Children at Colorado Christian Home
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