Amber - Kleos Children's Community

" Well, I was 16 when I came to Kleos. I was a privately placed child. My parents had decided to send me without my knowing. I guess you could say it was my last resort for them. I was getting into a lot of bad things. I had stopped going to school, thinking that getting my G.E.D would be easier. I started off living with a boyfriend which only lasted a week, then I was out trying to find somewhere to live. I ended up living with my dad’s brother & wife. I lived there for about a week also until my parents sent our pastor and his wife over to tell me that I was going somewhere (I didn’t know a place or a name or a town) to get a diploma, and that it was going to help me in the long run. They also told me that if I didn’t go I would be “kicked out” of my family and I would have to get my stuff and find somewhere else to live. But if I did go and complete the program I would get my car paid for as a gift when I get back. Little did I know that road would be over a year long.

When I got to Kleos I thought to myself “what a bunch of losers” but later on those losers would become my best friends! I was a mess when I got there, angry and ticked off! I could go on and on about my first few months there but we’d be here all day.

I also went through a rough period of time getting in trouble for reasons I’d rather not remember. I almost got kicked out by Gordon but after a long meeting with my parents, he let me stay, but I was not aloud to see or speak to my family for 3 months, which turned into the longest 3 months of my life! I admit that later on I ended up asking Angel Spinelli to be my mentor. She helped me through a lot of problems. I felt very comfortable talking to her about anything. It was a way that I felt normal & accepted too.

Through out this whole time there was of course school & I have never been big on school. But somehow I made it through! After Vicki had gone through & pulled as many credits she could together for me. We still had a few more classes that I needed to take and I began my first college class, Western Civilization, through the correspondence program of Life Bible College. I never thought I’d finish this class in a million years, but with the help of many people especially Vicki & Mr. Spinelli, I did it, finished it, & finished with a B+ in the class! Yeah for me! THAT WAS ONE OF MY BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENTS! I was so proud of myself! But that wasn’t the only thing I learned I could do & accomplish. I learned that people accept you the way you are & not just how you look. Also, through having my make-up taken away a few times, I now am comfortable in who I am & how I look. I still wear make-up but not half as much. I also learned that people I never would have talked to outside of Kleos would, could & have become my best friends. I love the people there! They helped me through a lot & I am very grateful for all of them & the time that was put into me & helping me.

Let’s wrap it up with how I am now. I have been home almost 8 months now & in that time I have had a full time job for 7 of those months (the longest job I’ve ever kept), & I’ve also met a great guy (the longest relationship that I have ever been in too). He is the best thing I could of imagined I would end up with. Come to find out he was one of those people I would of never given a chance with a few years ago. But now I did, & I am glad there is a wedding in the future, but that date is still to be decided! I am going to pursue college to be a beautician soon. I am also still living with my parents & we all are a big happy family & I couldn’t be a happier person. I owe Kleos the thanks for giving me all the answers & for my parents giving me that second chance! Thank you everyone who was a part of my life during THE LONGEST YEAR OF MY LIFE!

Thank you & God bless you!

Love ya, Amber "