Gillis | for children and families since 1870

Gillis Stories - Matt's Story

At age 11, Matt Arterbury was a very angry boy with some very serious problems. To live with Matt required a good fire extinguisher and a catcher’s mask. “I set lots of things on fire,” he said, “but mostly it was throwing. I threw plates, trays, tools, toys… anything I could get my hands on I would throw it at somebody.”

Matt was one of the first wave of children to come to Gillis multi-prescribed on several very serious medications. He remembers prolonged daily battles with the nursing staff over taking his meds. “I gave them heck,” he said. “I was a nightmare for that nurse every single day. I threw so many things at that nurse… But eventually, you know, being here, I got better.”
Recently Matt returned to Gillis. He didn’t come for a rematch with the nurse. In fact, he’s no longer on any medications whatsoever. Matt has graduated from high school, has a driver’s license, and will soon matriculate from the Job Corps Cement Masonry program. “Most people wouldn’t have thought I could do any of those things, but at Gillis they told me I was smart. The staff here, certain people, they were determined, and they were the inspiration I had to better myself.”

On Matt’s visit he was greeted with big smiles and hugs from several staff members who still remembered him. Staci Hughes, long-time PE instructor at Gillis said, “It just feels so good to see them later and know that we made a difference.”

So what’s next for Matt?

“Good job lined up, but now I want to volunteer for Gillis if I can. I want to help this place that helped me.”

Stories

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 towards 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.

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