I wish to write a review that speaks to parents, grandparents, guardians, any loving individual that is trying to "give a better life or save a life ". I just picked my daughter up from graduating Red Hawk Academy for Girls. Personally, I feel we saved her life. She chose life. At what point she decided on life I do not know. My daughter ended her freshman year in high school with 42 missing assignments and a suspension. Prior to this, she was on the honor role. The decline was drastic. She had given up. She had substance abuse issues, self-harm, outbursts, suicidal behavior, you name it. Our home was not safe, she was not safe. A formal psych eval was performed, multiple therapists, but every 3 days, something big was documented. We could not get through 3 days in our home without some big catastrophe! I began looking at Inpatient RTC programs. Something most parents only threaten, but never follow through. I applied to the first place and was DENIED entry. I was devastated! Because my daughter's history of suicidal behavior they would not take her. So now what!?! They referred me to another program. That place didn't respond to my application. I was then approved to send her to Wilderness. 10 weeks for a sweet price. But only 10 weeks? I was very very tempted but not willing to chance that short term risk. I called a hotline... Told them my story.. Same story I had told 3 other times. They directed me to Val at Red Hawk Academy. I didn't jump at Red Hawk Academy right Away. I was a mother still frightened and in denial by the devastating reality of our situation. I waited longer for even more events to happen at home. I finally made "THE" call to Val for help. I then committed to do the hardest thing I ever did in my life. I had them send their transport team to my home in secret, pick up my daughter and escort her to Red Hawk Academy for what would be just shy of the next year of her life. Guess what that program did for my girl? They saved her life!!! She is thriving. She has learned self-love, self-care, how to be a mentor, a sister. She found that she loves to help other people and hopes to go to college. I mean she WANTS to go to school!!! She genuinely puts the needs of others before herself. I'm not going to just thank one or two people at Red Hawk. Every single person there helped my daughter! They have created a family there that helped my daughter thrive. In my girls own words she said "You forced me to come here and now I'm being forced to leave." As a family we have learned to communicate. I will thank Val for that. My daughter learned to work hard doing hard labor that is almost unheard of in this day in age, Sonny thank you for that. Mel, thank you for the horse therapy!!!! Anita, thank you for making sure she was taken to all her med appointments and going through all the mail. To all the girls, thank you for being her sisters! The first time I visited her, it was apparently clear she felt more at home with you than me. That is a hard pill to swallow for a mom. To all staff thank you! You loved my daughter every second I could not and even when hard and disciplined that was representing what I could not give. It shows in her now. To all prospective parents, you must have trust and faith. Obviously, whatever you're doing is not working. I believe in my heart that I saved my daughter's life. At the very least, I and my husband presented her a chance at a better life. The rest is up to her. Red Hawk Academy exists!!!! Utilize them. They help provide the tools. It's up to your child if they want to succeed or not. Luckily for me, my daughter is choosing life!!! Thank you, Red Hawk!!!!
Response from the owner1 year ago
Kara- This is a remarkable review. Thank you immensely. It has and will continue to be a great way for families to get a sense of what we do and how we care for all these cute girlies! Thank you!
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