Our Children's Stories: Eve

When Eve entered the Residential Treatment program at Tennyson Center at the age of nine, her pain was obvious. She was overwhelmed by the memories of abuse. Sexually abused by her father and abandoned by her mother, Eve suffered from severe post-traumatic stress disorder. Her childhood had been brutally taken away from her.

When she first arrived at Tennyson Center, Eve often heard things that weren't there; she would suddenly retreat from her group, afraid and confused. Because of the abuse she had endured, she had no idea how to be a child. Up to this point, she had raised her two younger sisters, protecting them from the rage and anger of her parents...that is, when her parents were around. Once Child Protective Services entered the picture and removed the children from the home, Eve agonized about the safety of her siblings.

The first few weeks at Tennyson Center were tough for Eve. Even her interractions with other children were strangely adult and sadly sexual. She had learned all those behaviors from her father. Our challenge was to teach her how to be a nine-year old again and, with this much pain embedded deep into her soul, we knew this would NOT be an easy journey.

But, as with all of the children we serve, we tirelessly worked with Eve one day at a time. Through effective counseling, therapy and treatment, we taught her how to trust again; we taught her how to come to grips with the pain that used to rule her life and how to let go of that pain so that she can have a sense of real hope for the future. And it WAS a long journey...but worth every single minute of it.

Just a few months ago, Eve left Tennyson Center for Children to live with her new foster family, two remarkable people who are committed to loving and caring for Eve throughout the rest of her childhood. She now has her childhood back and a new family to help her continue on the road to recovery.

Click here to read Andrea's story.
Click here to read Josh's story.