Gillis | for children and families since 1870

Gillis Stories - Jack's Story

Jack came to Gillis when the Children’s Division was unable to find a 4th foster home willing to take him. His mother was clean and working toward getting him back, but relapsed and has only seen him once since then. Jack has siblings but doesn’t see them much because their foster parent thinks Jack upsets them. Jack was a very hurt, lonely, frightened and angry boy with a history of family violence, substance abuse, loss, abandonment and constant rejection and disappointment.

When he arrived at Gillis Jack did not qualify for special education due to his average IQ and an ineligible diagnosis of “conduct disorder”. Experience has shown us that kids with special needs like Jack have experienced so much disruption and failure in their lives that an important part of our intervention must include some educational success in our therapeutic school. Since his arrival Jack’s reading has increased to a 3rd grade level, his aggressive behavior and time in our “recovery room” has decreased and he has shown a great interest and talent in art.

Jack is proud of the success he has achieved in school and Gillis is proud of the progress Jack and all the kids we serve make in our school.

Stories

The staff of our Intensive In-home Services (IIS) program worked with Joan, a mother of 4, whose husband was accused of child abuse. He was court ordered to leave the home and have no contact with his child.

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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.