Client/Parent Feedback & Testimonials

Varency Home

Client Testimonials

"I moved into the Residence in November 2006.  Shortly after I got here, I went into custody couples of times but since then, staff have been doing a good job helping me stay out of trouble.  My teacher in the learning centre classroom is very funny and although sometimes I can get mad at him, he can always make me laugh.  I will be leaving Roy Walsh Homes soon, but I know that the program will help lots of other kids".

Resident (aged 12 Yrs)

“I have been with the program for about a year and a half and we’ve had our ups and downs. I can honestly say if I did not come to Varency I could very well be on the street, in jail, or dead. When I first came to Varency I hated it. I could not stand it but as the time went on I came to realize how much I needed Varency and the staff. It has taught me patience, responsibility and has also helped considerably with my drug addiction. School was always a problem for me but when I came to Varency I got more credits in 1 year then I did in 2 ½  in community school. I move out of Varency in 3 months and I am going to miss the program. That is why I am going to college to work as a group home worker so that I can spread what I learned to kids, to help them the way the program has helped me.”

Resident (aged 17 years)

“Varency showed me how to be more open and how to look out for your family and friends. I met a lot of people that are very nice that I like, then I started to love all of them a lot. Varency showed me how to be responsible, and how to be nice to people. It taught me how to budget money for independence, for when I go on semi-independence. It taught me to look out for myself.”

Resident (aged 16 years)

Kids may think that this program is strict and there isn’t good things that can happen to them, but if you really think about it there is some good attributes to it. Some positive things that this program has provided for me are, section 20 school, which provides me the opportunity to work on more then four courses and get caught up much quicker; I take a cooking class that gets me prepared to live independently and be able to cook healthy meals; I’m also in a lift program that helps me to review my goals and get me prepared to live on independence. My lift worker helps me greatly with finding a job, finding an apartment, pretty much with anything I may need help with. Well I have been living here I have received my G1 licence, and have been taking the young drivers course. Also, I am taking dance classes every Tuesday nights which keeps me committed to something I love, it helps me stay fit, and disciplined. Another bonus about this program is that I frequently have contact with my family, and at this time that is the greatest attribute for me, because when living here with so many kids it’s really enjoyable to spend time out of the house and have quality time with my family. I’m also in a Youth Advisory Committee, which expands our knowledge of the C.A.S. system, and gives us the opportunities to know about other kids in foster care, what they have accomplished, and how foster care has or hasn’t benefited them. It gives us a chance to help them with any questions they may have. It’s great to meet other teens that are in the same kind of situations. Another great opportunity that this program provides is recreational activities, which I help the supervisor plan. I ask the kids what kind of fun things they would be interested in doing and figure out if we have enough in our budget to do it. Recreation is a great perk that gets us out into the community doing enjoyable things together.  This program is not as bad as kids suspect it could be.  I believe we have it pretty good here.  There are many opportunities that this program provides for us.

DAN'S STORY

     I came to Varency Home, against my will when I was 16 years old.  I had nowhere else to go and I was struggling with drug and alcohol addiction and had been expelled from school several times.  During the first 6 months of my stay at Varency, I was in and out of jail due to my own irresponsible actions.  The Program Manager and staff at Varency Home accepted me back every time, allowing me to start over and try to get my life back on track.  At first I hated all the structure, rules, programming and the fact that I had to go to section 20 school.  After spending time in custody, I realized that it was not the path I wanted to take and I decided to make the best of my stay.  The staff was supportive of my decisions and assisted me in making difficult choices.  I was able to earn 22 high school credits and found that section 20 school was not so bad.  Even though there were always hard times and I often felt it would be easier to give up, I was able to see the light at the end of the tunnel and continued to move forward.  Varency Home taught me that there is more to life than drugs and helped me set goals that will benefit my future. 

I am now 18 years old and I have been living independently for 7 months.  I am a truck and coach technician apprentice and I will be attending college in September.  I don’t know if I would have made it this far without the support of my teacher, Varency Home staff and family.  They never gave up on me and always saw the good in me, that I didn’t always know I had.

Testimonials from Peter Willis Residence: 

“My son follows the rules at home better.”

“My Primary Worker really helped me.”

“I’m glad that (the staff) are still available to talk to (after discharge).”

“I got to earn some credits and the program helped me with that.”

“I learned to control my anger better; I used to fight when I was mad, now I will try something else.”

“I took drug abuse counselling, it helped me see why I do drugs.”

“The program is cool, they let us do regular things.”

Testimonials for Pre-Charge Diversion Adult

“Getting caught and breaking the law can be pretty scary stuff.”

“It was a tough thing to do, but I felt better when I was able to apologize.”

“Now I  know, when I get that weird feeling that something is wrong and it’s time for me to leave.”

Testimonials for the Extrajudicial Measures program

"Getting caught and breaking the law can be pretty scary stuff."

"It was a tough thing to do, but I felt better when I was able to apologize."

"Now I know when I get that weird feeling that something is wrong and it's time for me to leave."

"I like the idea of St. Leonard's having this course because then we get a second chance."

"This class helped me understand to think for myself and do what I feel is right."

"I learned to repect others and not to steal again."

Testimonials for the Extrajudicial Sanctions program.

"i leanred how much I was hurting others and my own future."

"It was good to get a second chance and show people that I wasn't bad."

"Going to Court really scared me. I'm glad I didn't have to keep going back."

Testimonials for the Pre-charge Diversion program.

"Thanks for helping us get a second chance."

"I didn't realize how much my shoplifting affected the community."

"I am so happy that I will not have a theft charge on my record."

"I have learned that I was not alone--that we all have stresses and that my crime not only hurt me but many others. We have to be accountable for our actions and decisions."

Testimonials for the Adult Diversion program.

"I am very grateful not to have a criminal record."

"Getting a second chance gave me a chance to really think about what I did."

"I was so afraid that I would go to jail. I was thankful to have the opportunity to do the diversion program."

Testimonials for the CSO/PSO program?

"I met a lot of nice people doing my community service."

"Helping out the poor people really opened my eyes."

"It felt good to do something for someone else."