Gillis | for children and families since 1870

Gillis Stories - Alyssa's Story

Alyssa came to Gillis School when her home school district had exhausted all their options. She frequently ran from staff members, made inappropriate comments and was very shy and withdrawn. After a year at Gillis Alyssa’s behavior has shown a significant improvement. She no longer withdraws or runs away. She uses her words rather than behaviors to express her needs.

During a recent all-school assembly Alyssa was singing quietly to a teacher. She was offered the opportunity to use the microphone and sing to the audience. She walked confidently to the principal and took the microphone. Out came her version of the Star Spangled Banner, which was correct in tone and pitch, but the lyrics were her own creation.

Alyssa’s mom and school district liaison were astonished to hear about the day’s assembly. Alyssa’s mom said, “Alyssa would never have done that a year ago and never would have been able to do that without Gillis!”

Since that time she is the student who sings Happy Birthday at assembly every Friday.

Stories

Derik came to Gillis because he was having difficulty at his home school. He didn’t want to listen to anyone and didn’t want to play with the other kids; sometimes he would hit and kick. He was sent to the Principal’s office several times a week and his mom was called to pick him up from school often. He was diagnosed with a mood disorder. Gillis was recommended as a school which could help Derrick.

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Gillis News

As part of their community service hours at Rockhurst High School, two young men volunteered at Gillis, working with the residential students. One day they looked around and realized that the common areas were not what they, as “typical” teenagers, would like to look at every day. So, they undertook a cottage renovation project. READ MORE

Gillis is part of Cornerstones of Care, a partnership of agencies providing therapeutic treatment services for children and families.