http://fostercareinamerica.com/2009/07/27/random-thoughts-from-childhood-series-changes/ Inspiration and information from graduates of the system Tue, 29 Nov 2011 02:08:56 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 http://fostercareinamerica.com/2009/07/27/random-thoughts-from-childhood-series-changes/comment-page-1/#comment-365 Adriene Mon, 05 Oct 2009 21:44:59 +0000 http://fostercareinamerica.com/?p=881#comment-365 I was at Ivy house in 1976 and I left in 1979. I was just moved to cottage 2. I would like to know who you are... My perosonal email address is immsdaniels2u@aol.com please contact me I was at Ivy house in 1976 and I left in 1979. I was just moved to cottage 2. I would like to know who you are… My perosonal email address is immsdaniels2u@aol.com please contact me

]]> http://fostercareinamerica.com/2009/07/27/random-thoughts-from-childhood-series-changes/comment-page-1/#comment-229 Yvonne Tue, 01 Sep 2009 05:31:10 +0000 http://fostercareinamerica.com/?p=881#comment-229 I was six when I was placed in Ivy House in 1976 with my brother 10 at the time and sister age 7. Ivy house was shut down 4 years after I think. It was a nightmare for us. We were abused by staff and other children and neglected by the staff. As a result all three of us are psychologically scarred. I am glad your experience was good but I would like to hear from survivors as well. I was six when I was placed in Ivy House in 1976 with my brother 10 at the time and sister age 7. Ivy house was shut down 4 years after I think. It was a nightmare for us. We were abused by staff and other children and neglected by the staff. As a result all three of us are psychologically scarred. I am glad your experience was good but I would like to hear from survivors as well.

]]> http://fostercareinamerica.com/2009/07/27/random-thoughts-from-childhood-series-changes/comment-page-1/#comment-198 Jennifer Wed, 12 Aug 2009 03:34:52 +0000 http://fostercareinamerica.com/?p=881#comment-198 Adriene, wow great to hear from you and thank you very much for your comment. If you would like to get in touch and email directly with Mat, please send me your email address and I will pass it on. If you do not want to publish your email, you can email me directly at jennifer@fostercareinamerica.com! Adriene, wow great to hear from you and thank you very much for your comment. If you would like to get in touch and email directly with Mat, please send me your email address and I will pass it on. If you do not want to publish your email, you can email me directly at jennifer@fostercareinamerica.com!

]]> http://fostercareinamerica.com/2009/07/27/random-thoughts-from-childhood-series-changes/comment-page-1/#comment-197 Adriene Wed, 12 Aug 2009 02:50:13 +0000 http://fostercareinamerica.com/?p=881#comment-197 As I sat here and read Mat's thoughts. I could not help but to go back to my childhood memories. I too lived and grew up at the Salvation Army Ivyhouse right in cottage 1 with Mat. I remember him and his brother. I also remember the mastered run away. Ivyhouse was not your typical orphanage, and it was basically considered a childrens home. And they did their best to make it a home. I lived there for 10 yrs. Mat and his brother let before I did. When I was coming up I use to be ashamed of where I lived, I use to be afraid to admit to others I was an unwanted child. When I left public school for the day I went to Ivyhouse the other students went home to family. I remember being ridiculed, laughed at and teased. But the truth of the matter is I was privileged. I really had the best of everything. I had people from all facets of life that cared about me that actually were showing me that I was loved and that I could be a child and that everything when all is said and done will be ok. They took us shopping to the major department stores 3 times a year. I spent my summers at summer camp in the Poconos, I got Christmas gifts and believe it or not an allowance. We went to church every Sunday, we had chores, and most importantly we had study hour during the school year. Also went you turn 14 you were able to work a summer job. When you turned 18 yrs of age you had 2 choices because you had to leave there. The choices were either you were going to college or they helped you to get a place of your own. Also when you left IVYhouse you did not leave broke they had established a bank account for you the day you arrived, so you had money saved. I was very sad when I had to leave that was the only family I knew. I was permitted to come back and visit . I was truly hurt when they shut their door for good. And it was then I realized how blessed I was. These people loved and cared enough to make sure I had a childhood, medical care, a beautiful place to live...( little known fact Ivyhouse was 80% glass and we had an olympic size gym that was built for us in 1974) these wonderful people did their best to make sure all 48 of us were able to survive and succed in life. Since that day I have to say I a proud of who and what I am and I am especially proud of how I came up. It was a situation that turned out to be one of the best things that has ever happened to me. And I thank them the Salvation Army Officers, the Ivy house staff especially Tony Toscanno. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. And Matt this is for you I use to have the nick name Ajay. As I sat here and read Mat’s thoughts. I could not help but to go back to my childhood memories. I too lived and grew up at the Salvation Army Ivyhouse right in cottage 1 with Mat. I remember him and his brother. I also remember the mastered run away. Ivyhouse was not your typical orphanage, and it was basically considered a childrens home. And they did their best to make it a home. I lived there for 10 yrs. Mat and his brother let before I did. When I was coming up I use to be ashamed of where I lived, I use to be afraid to admit to others I was an unwanted child. When I left public school for the day I went to Ivyhouse the other students went home to family. I remember being ridiculed, laughed at and teased. But the truth of the matter is I was privileged. I really had the best of everything. I had people from all facets of life that cared about me that actually were showing me that I was loved and that I could be a child and that everything when all is said and done will be ok. They took us shopping to the major department stores 3 times a year. I spent my summers at summer camp in the Poconos, I got Christmas gifts and believe it or not an allowance. We went to church every Sunday, we had chores, and most importantly we had study hour during the school year. Also went you turn 14 you were able to work a summer job. When you turned 18 yrs of age you had 2 choices because you had to leave there. The choices were either you were going to college or they helped you to get a place of your own. Also when you left IVYhouse you did not leave broke they had established a bank account for you the day you arrived, so you had money saved. I was very sad when I had to leave that was the only family I knew. I was permitted to come back and visit . I was truly hurt when they shut their door for good. And it was then I realized how blessed I was. These people loved and cared enough to make sure I had a childhood, medical care, a beautiful place to live…( little known fact Ivyhouse was 80% glass and we had an olympic size gym that was built for us in 1974) these wonderful people did their best to make sure all 48 of us were able to survive and succed in life. Since that day I have to say I a proud of who and what I am and I am especially proud of how I came up. It was a situation that turned out to be one of the best things that has ever happened to me. And I thank them the Salvation Army Officers, the Ivy house staff especially Tony Toscanno. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. And Matt this is for you I use to have the nick name Ajay.

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