Brandon's Story
I have been a resident at Gateway Woods for 18 months and am about ready to graduate the program. The reason I am at Gateway is because I violated my probation by using prescription pills at school and getting into a fight. I got suspended from school and my parole officer said that I couldn’t leave my house for three days. However, while my mom was sleeping the next day, I snuck out. We messed around for a while and then I snuck back into my house. Apparently somebody saw us running around because a while later the police knocked on our door and took me to a juvenile detention facility. I went to court and was sent to Gateway.
When I got to Gateway I quickly learned that I was not the center of the universe. In the first few months I learned more about being a respectful and good young man than I hadlearned in my whole life. My Counselor, Kirby helped me to work out and through my problems, instead of simply acting out. I found that these things were easy to learn, but hard to apply consistently.
When I came to Gateway I thought I was doing great spiritually, though I eventually realized that I was really very lost. I thought I was going to heaven, but in reality, while I was doing my devotions every night and going to church, I was still rejecting Christ in my heart.
Thankfully, through the work of my Counselors, Houseparents and the Spirit I began to realize my helpless state. I realized that I was a sinner and I deserved death, but there was a God sustaining me every second and calling me every day. He had sent His son to die on the cross to cover all my sin. I felt heavily convicted and I talked to my Houseparent Dad. That night I repented.
It hasn’t been an easy road since, and I still have my struggles, but I have been maturing and growing spiritually since that day. Soon I will graduate from the program here at Gateway and will probably move into a Christian foster home, but I know that wherever I go, God will be with me and I will be fine. Christmas means so much more to me this year than ever before, because now I know the Jesus.
Brandon, former GW resident
Meet Mercedez
Have you ever looked at someone else’s situation and thought, “That wouldn’t ever be me”? Well if not, I did. All the times I’d hear about this girl or that girl that was pregnant, and I’d think “How stupid can she be?” But when it happened to me it blew my hair back.
It all started when I was 15 years old. I had met a guy at a friend’s party; we exchanged numbers and started texting and calling each other. After a while I thought that I was in love and we’d be together for a long time. One time I told my mom how much I cared for him and she told me to be careful. Then, one night he called me and I knew I didn’t have any business trying to sneak out after curfew, but I just had to see him. Not only did he want to see me, but he wanted something so valuable and precious...
I felt so guilty afterward for taking advantage of my mother’s trust, sneaking out and most of all for giving away my husband’s wedding gift. We stayed together until three weeks later when I got locked up for stabbing a girl during a street fight. At that time I didn’t think things through and I thought that what I had done was the only solution to my problem. I got locked up two days after I found out that I was pregnant. I thought I was going to die! I cried and cried until there wasn’t anymore tears left. I finally convinced myself that I just didn’t want it, it’s not like it was an actual baby right? Ha! Wrong. I talked to my mother and she was so supportive of me. If it wasn’t for my mom and God helping me through those three long months in the Juvenile Center I wouldn’t know what to do.
About the middle of April 2010 I was sent here to Gateway to start over and take time to become a better person, prepare to become a mother and most of all to realize the seriousness of my actions. When I first got here, my mind was set to make good choices and do it not only for me, but also for my baby boy. I had a lot of challenges, like where am I going after this? And how do I get there? I wasn’t perfect and I had my share of temptations and issues, but I worked through them to the best of my ability and I made it through. It’s like God opened my eyes to let me know it’s time for a change in my life and it starts right here.
Five months after I came here I gave birth to a healthy, precious baby boy, the love of my life. I decided to take responsibility for my actions and raise him, not because I had to but because I wanted to. I’ve never had a single regret that I chose to keep him. I can have one of the worst days ever, but all I have to do is look at him and his pretty eyes and smile and I get the biggest grin on my face. Just thinking of him warms my heart.
I know soon I’ll be on my own and it won’t be easy, but I’m willing to give it my all. Over the last nine years so much has happened in my life, whether jumping from foster homes to residential placements or getting molested by my sister’s father. Sometimes I would just sit back and wonder why would God allow me to go through this? But it’s not God, it’s sin. And there’s always a reason. I’m just a walking proof that anything is possible through Jesus Christ. Don’t give up or give in just keep pushing because there is a light at the end of each tunnel. Just trust and believe.
Mercedez, former GW resident
To the Arms of Jesus
I am told that our adoption story is somewhat unconventional. To me it is the same as every other story written by our God when His people answer a call He has placed on their life – an exciting, epic tale filled with grace, love, sadness, faith, frustration and hope.
Before our home study was even completed here in Indiana, we were chosen to be the parents of twin girls through Adoption by Shepherd Care, which is an agency in Florida that Gateway Woods partners with. God works fast when He needs to, but our family wasn’t quite ready for Him to work that fast, especially in the area of finances! In less than one week, God provided $25,000 and the wonderful staff at Gateway Woods finished our home study quickly. We traveled to Florida and met our new daughters, Macy Jean and Gaby Hope.
Gaby’s story is a long and detailed one that is still being written even as she now lives in Heaven with Jesus. Our entire journey with Gaby can be read at our family blog, www.brownstreeintheforest.blogspot.com, but I would love to share a little of it here with you. We are blessed that Macy is now a healthy, happy little girl and she brings our family much joy as we see God working in her life, even at such a young age.
Gaby was born on January 19, 2010, and entered the world physically fighting to live. She was seven weeks premature, had congenital heart disease-hypoplastic right heart, lung disease, gastrointestinal issues, and many other medical complications. But these conditions were just what she fought against, not what defined her.
Gaby was a stubborn little girl. She only liked those she chose to like and yelled at everyone else. Thankfully for us, she loved her family. She was precious. Her delicate hands were probably my favorite thing that God created on her little body. They were so sweet. One of our family’s treasured items is a mold of her hand that some sweet nurses at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Indianapolis made for us. Looking at it and touching it makes me smile.
Gaby spent six of her seven months on earth in hospitals. Our family came to know and love many special people during our times at those facilities. In the end, God blessed us with 37 busy, hectic and crazy days at our home in Fort Wayne with Gaby. Looking back, I wish I had cherished them more. They were special days filled with family, fun, and love.
Gaby went from my arms to the arms of Jesus on August 12, 2010. Our family of six is now working through the grieving process of losing a daughter and sister. We covet your prayers of protection over our entire family. There are many dark days behind us, but we continue to cling to the eternal hope we have through Christ, eternal life in Heaven with Him and our Gaby! Until that time comes, we will honor the One who gave her to us and continue to thank Him for the gift of Gaby Hope.
Shelley Brown, Adoptive Parent
Jeanette's Story
Growing up at the age of seventeen I had many struggles. I loved to have fun and also liked school. Learning was always interesting to me; I just didn’t have that much motivation once my grades would slip from test scores or something. These things were important, I know, but at the moment I was really having a hard time keeping up. Plus, my family and I would always randomly have to move from state to state. I was never in school for a whole school year. It finally got to the point where I didn’t care anymore and just said, 'forget it.' I was tired of just going to school.
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Life got tougher with me and my mom. She got weary of me getting in trouble and sent me off to Texas with my sister and step-dad. I strongly disliked her at the point and I certainly showed it. We got down there and I met my “now” baby’s father. Everything was looking so much nicer with him. I felt like I had my own little perfect life; until he had to move back home. Once he left everything for me felt like it went downhill. I found myself depressed and lonely. I started skipping school, smoking, and doing stuff I had no right doing. Well, I ended up leaving Texas with my family and coming back home. I then noticed I was a bad role model towards my younger siblings.
Later on in the year I found out that education does make a differences and improves things. Being here at Gateway reminded me how good I have it at home and how it feels to have your freedom token away from you. I’ve learned it is one of the better things in life. 'If you want to be successful the person will have to go after what they want themselves. It doesn’t just come to them.'
Gateway provided encouraging help. They also helped me to see my strengths and weaknesses. I progressed a lot and I feel I’ve overcome some of my life struggles. Going home is an honor I’m willing to take, but I’m thinking realistically about the life ahead of me and raising my little girl. I plan to take what all I learned and put it all in action."
Jeanette, GW resident
The Miracle of Adoption
Our adoption journey began just one year ago but has been in our hearts for quite some time. Even as children, both Jeremy and I hoped that our future family would include adopted children in addition to biological children. Soon after we decided to start a family, I found out that I needed to take a temporary medication that would have harmed an unborn child. Unable to carry a child for the 9 month duration of the medication, we started looking into adoption. After much prayer and research, we started the paperwork last August.
On Saturday, March 6, 2010, a miracle happened, but we did not know it yet. We were going about our normal lives, helping some friends move into their new home, doing yard work, and cleaning the house. We prayed that night, as we always did, that God would protect and comfort the birthmother of our child, that our baby would be safe, and that we would soon be united as a family.
In most domestic infant adoptions, the adoptive parents are matched with the birthparents a few months before the child’s due date. We heard stories about couples that were surprised and got a "doorstep" baby, but it is uncommon so we did not expect it for ourselves. We assumed that we would have a month or two to become emotionally and physically prepared to have a child.
On Monday, March 8th, we received a call from an adoption agency in Florida. They told us that there was a baby girl born two days earlier who needed a family, and asked if we would be interested. They sent us some paperwork, mostly family history questions answered by the birthmother and hospital records, to look over before giving them an answer. We met over our lunch hour to pray, go over information, and to call the agency with more questions.
That afternoon we told the agency that yes, we did want this baby girl and yes, we would get there as soon as we could! At this point, all we knew was that we had a healthy baby girl with a Jamaican heritage waiting for us in Florida, and we had no baby items! After a quick email to the Gateway Woods staff, we had a car full of baby clothes, bottles, blankets, a car seat, baby carriers, a diaper bag, bibs, burp cloths, and much more! What a blessing the Gateway Woods family is!
Soon after arriving at the agency on Wednesday, March 10th, we signed the adoption paperwork and then we met our daughter, Adilynn Grey, for the first time. We spent many hours just looking at her, touching her, praying for her, and thanking and praising God for our precious "doorstep" baby. In fact, we still do those things with awe and wonder. Our Father has blessed our family so much with this little girl. She is fearfully and wonderfully made and it is our privilege to raise her and introduce her to Jesus. We pray that she will be used mightily for God’s kingdom and that her life will bless many others for God’s glory.
- Jeremy & Kristi Reinhard, Adoptive Parents
Dedicated To Changing Lives
In 2008 I thought my daughter Alena was lost to me forever. She had F’s in every class her freshman year of high school. She was involved in a gang, doing drugs, and who knows what else.
Through a series of events, Alena was incarcerated at the local youth detention facility. Her dad, step-mom, and I were trying to find a youth home for her that was far away from Fort Wayne to get her away from the gang she was in.
I spent many days crying and mourning the loss of my daughter. I knew if we sent her away I might never see her again.
But God had other plans. At the detention facility, Alena was given a psych evaluation by a student intern and it was horribly inaccurate – not by my judgment but by her therapist’s opinion. That psych evaluation was so bad that none of the youth homes wanted to admit her to their programs.
We decided to look into a local solution and turned to Gateway Woods. During all of this, I had been let go from General Motors and was unemployed. We didn’t even know if we would be able to afford this lifeline even if they would take Alena. It was a very frightening time in my life.
We made an appointment to talk to Tim Wiegand about the possibility of Alena coming to Gateway Woods School. At that point he had not read the psych evaluation. By the time we had come for an interview, the psych evaluation had landed on his desk. We were feeling pretty hopeless by then.
When Tim Wiegand called us after the interview to say that Gateway Woods was willing to take a chance on Alena (when no one else would), I cried, not tears of sadness but
tears of relief.
With that hurdle out of the way our next problem was financing. Alena’s dad had very little money and I was unemployed. I would have done just about anything to help pay for this lifeline that had been handed to us. Gateway Woods not only took a big chance on Alena, they helped us fund her expenses as well.
What kind of price can you put on a life saved? As a popular TV commercial says – it’s priceless.
I hold here in my hand Alena’s most recent report card. A+’s and B’s and written across the bottom are the words “honor roll recipient.” I am the proudest mom in the world! But the people who should be most proud of this accomplishment are Alena for her hard work and the staff of Gateway Woods School. They poured their love, biblical principles, and dedication to changing my daughter’s heart.
Alena is a life changed because of the work being done there. She was not only given a good education foundation but a formula for life. Not only did Gateway Woods help to save a life but a family as well.
Thank you staff! You changed our lives and gave us the most precious gift of all, our daughter!
- A Day-Treatment Student's Mom
Ked & Joanne Gerber's Adoption Story
We have been involved with Gateway Woods for many years, serving in a variety of roles. Before we were married, I spent time as the office manager and Ked was a foster parent. Currently, we are filling the role of Auction Coordinators and feel blessed to still be a part of Gateway Woods.
Now, for the first time, we are experiencing the opportunity of adoption. Our family had been considering adoption for the past several years, and about two years ago we felt God’s peace to move forward. We considered both domestic and international adoption options, and we felt God leading us to adopt domestically. Along the way, we had many opportunities cross our path—a young teen mother wanting to place her toddler for adoption, a desperate mother who couldn’t raise her toddler son anymore, a waiting child in Haiti who wouldn’t be able to come home for almost three years and a young girl who had come to America for corrective surgery. We prayed for so many birthmothers and their children never knowing which one God would choose for our home. Although the wait was difficult at times and God closed several doors, we were always confident that God would bring the “right” child at the “right” time for our family.
In June 2009, we received a call from our adoption agency. Our caseworker had a situation which seemed to be a great fit for our family—a birthmother due in August with a baby girl which is what we had prayed for on day one of our adoption journey! We were so thankful to know the birthmother was taking good care of herself and our unborn baby. Although the birthmother chose not to meet us, we found out our baby would have Jamaican and Haitian roots. We were thrilled to say the least and prayed that our birthmother would follow through with her decision and could be at peace. We truly cannot imagine the emotions of the birthmother but have a true respect for her decision to carry her baby and care for herself and the baby even though she would not be raising the child.
On Saturday, August 22, God had another surprise in store for us. Our birthmother gave birth to a healthy baby BOY! We were able to see him the next day at the hospital but could only look at him through the nursery window. On Monday, our birthmother signed the papers to terminate her parental rights. We were very excited, signed our adoptive papers and brought our son, Kyler Marshal, home from the hospital. Kyler is now 2 months old and has bonded very well with our family. We cannot imagine what our life would be like without him! We are finishing our post adoption paperwork at this time and are hoping to finalize our adoption by the end of this year. God has blessed us with a beautiful son and we are so grateful!
-Ked & Joanne Gerber, Adoptive Parents
Sierra's Story
When I was in middle school, I started hanging out with the wrong crowd and getting into trouble. I had a lot of issues at home. My mom drank, my dad was not in the picture, and I was looking for some type of attention and love. So I started smoking, drinking, and doing drugs and hanging out with a lot of troublemakers. I ended up getting locked up and I did not learn my lesson.
When I got out, I started doing the same exact thing I was doing before. It wasn’t long after that I was once again re-incarcerated. After being locked up for the second time, I thought I was going to change but three days later I ran away. I was gone for about three months until I was sick of it and my mom was there to save me once again. I did one right thing though and turned myself in.
Two weeks after turning myself in, I was put on house arrest. I was doing well on house arrest such as not doing drugs but I was hanging out with bad people.
In September of 2007 I stayed home from school and cut off my house arrest anklet. I ran away and was gone for about a month, but this time I did not turn myself in. I got caught and was locked up. While on the run the second time, I got into heavier drugs such as cocaine and narcotics plus smoking marijuana.
I was placed in Michiana Behavioral Health Center. During my stay there I calmed down a lot and was able to learn a few things. I promised my mother that I would do better. I also promised her I would stop running on the streets, but I was still thinking about being me.
In May of 2008 my mother passed away suddenly. That was the whole turning point of my life. I was hurt. I was angry. I just wanted to die right along with my mom. I hated everything and everyone and I placed a lot of the blame on myself for her death.
Two weeks after the funeral, I found out I was pregnant. At first it was too much for me to handle. I was numb to everything and I was terrified. I still had many complicated issues that I needed to fix.
A month after I discovered I was pregnant, I was admitted into Gateway Woods. It was rather hard to get used to at first. Having to switch to a new environment with a whole lot of structure was very difficult. Having house parents just made me angry at first because I felt they were replacing the role of my mother. For about half the time I was here I was doing what I was supposed to but I was not getting anything accomplished.
I have learned a lot of things at Gateway Woods. They have been there for me and supportive when I needed it most. Gateway Woods has boosted up my beliefs in God, given me higher self-confidence, raised my standards and expectations, and has taught me how to be a good mother.
Early this year I gave birth to my son. Everything was very hard to get used too afterwards. A lot of the objectives that I had to accomplish were falling back because of the baby. So Gateway Woods helped me with that. After a month or two of having the baby I had a lot of issues. My father had seen that and decided to step up. I am still in the process of building a relationship with him today.
If I had not have come here, I would not have learned the things I did, I would not have matured, and I probably would not have been able to support my kid on my own. Gateway Woods has done many things for me, even if I liked them or not. I am looking forward to moving in with my father, building a relationship, and becoming an independent young woman. Gateway Woods is also providing me with home-based services so that I never end up in a situation like this again. Thank you God and Gateway Woods for changing my life!
- Sierra, GW resident
Mariah's Story
"Before I came to Gateway Woods I was living with my mom and my life was pretty messed up. I had a family, but I really didn’t. I had more responsibility than I should have had. I was trying to raise my brother, cook, clean, and pretty much be a grown up. But that’s not all. My parents fought a lot and they fought mostly over my brother because he wouldn’t listen to anyone. When he didn’t get his way, he acted up until he got his way or until everyone was fighting.
But that’s not why I came to Gateway Woods. While I was in school one day, my brother started acting up and my mom was about to have a nervous breakdown. My aunt was at our house and she had to call my dad to come take care of my brother. So my dad came to get him and immediately my brother started fighting my dad. My dad apparently picked my brother up and dropped him. So because of that, I was taken from my mom and put into foster care.
I was only in foster care for one day because I stole a cell phone from my foster mom and lied about it. The next day when I went to school the police picked me up. They took me to Youth Services Center. I was there for about a month until I came to Gateway Woods.
When I first arrived at Gateway Woods, I thought I didn’t really need to be here. I felt like Gateway Woods was not going to help me. Well, I was wrong. Gateway Woods has helped me, and I mean a lot! Gateway Woods is like family to me and they helped me get over and get through some of the hardest things in my life. I used to smoke pot and cigarettes and now I haven’t smoked either one for months. Gateway Woods helped me to see that I don’t need those things to make me happy. I love Gateway Woods!"
- Mariah, GW resident
Danyele's Story
"I came to Gateway Woods on April 30th of this year. It was two days after my birthday, and my mom got in trouble for using meth. My sister and I had to go live with my grandma, and we got into some trouble at my grandma's house. Within a month we were both sent to YSC, and two weeks later, I came to Gateway Woods.
My sister went to another facility because they were afraid that we would get into trouble again if we were together. I think it was better that we weren't together since we fall back on each other so much. When I leave, I will be living together with her in foster care. I think we will be alright. I hope so, anyways, because I know that if we mess up, we'll be back in placement.
When I first came to Gateway, I was scared and thought that all of the Houseparents were out to get me. I don't think that anymore. After being here a couple of weeks, I realized that I was wrong, and now I don't want to leave them.
I'm glad that my foster parents live close by and that I can come visit. Maybe we'll come to church, too. During the summer, I made lots of friends when the volunteers were here. We helped them with their projects during the summer. I still talk with many of them and I like them because they are nice, easy to talk to, and easy to make friends with. I made a lot of money this summer by doing pay jobs. I like working. I think its fun, and I'm glad I got paid for it. I'm going to buy shoes with the money....I love shoes.
My counselor taught me a lot. I think she is really cool. She taught me that life isn't only about drugs, but that you can have a lot of fun without them. I believe her.
My houseparents are super-cool, and we have good relationships with each other. I love to be around them and spend time with them. I like the way they treat each other and how they treat me. They are always so calm, they really respect each other, and they respect me. They respect what I have to say, my opinion. That helps me to respect them back."
- Danyele, GW resident
Megan's Story
"I've always had a lot of anger inside of me because I was raped by my stepdad. When I first came to Gateway Woods, I was being really disrespectful to my mom, and I was spending time with a guy-friend all the time.
The help I've gotten from Gateway, has changed my whole life around. I started to realize that, if I didn't get my problems together, then my home passes would grow longer. Eventually, I wouldn't be able to go home at all. Gateway has helped me work on my coping skills, and deal with my anger when things go wrong.
I also realized that my family really does care about me. I learned to respect my mom. It's not just because she is my parent, but now I know that she doesn't make rules so that she can make my life miserable - she really wants the best for me. Gateway has also helped me to learn that if you are willing to wait, the right guy will come to you. If you don't wait, you could end up with a really bad guy who doesn't treat you right.
Before I came here, I didn't give school a chance. I've realized that school isn't just about popularity, and now I am focusing on getting my college degree for nursing. As I'm leaving Gateway, I'm taking a lot of good lessons that will help me to deal with peer pressure. I appreciate Gateway and all that they have done for me.
It's my time to go home now. I opened to a Bible verse this morning with the assistant houseparent that talked about walking, keeping your head up high, and telling others about God. It said if you do this, then good things will come your way. I'll miss Gateway, but I'm so excited to go home and be with my family. Gateway has given me a new opportunity to start over. I was going down the wrong path, but I made a complete turn around and I am now heading the other way."
- Megan, GW resident
Stephanie's Story
"From the minute I walked in the door of the Maple House, I sensed a difference from the other places I had been. But on that first day, I refused to believe that this place was any different. It was just another place I would have to endure. Before long, however, I realized that Gateway Woods was much more than just a placement.
I can still remember the first time that I received discipline for breaking the rules. It was March 13, and I had to run laps for punishment. It wasn't the last time—at that point, everything was like a game to me, and I refused to accept help. It was another five months before I finally stopped being stubborn and started to want to change. Since then, I've been able to do things at Gateway Woods that I will always remember. I've made lasting relationships with so many people.
Over the past three-and-a-half years, I have been in more than four placements. Gateway Woods is the only one where I've felt loved, cared for, and protected. Even though it is still a placement, the girls and the Houseparents have become my family.
If ever there was a traveler who was grateful to finally come home, it's me. Gateway Woods was the road that led me home. And now, I have realized a very important lesson: no matter how daunting the road may seen, it doesn't matter if the first step is never taken. For a journey never started is certain to end in failure.
My journey has come to an end, and a new one is about to start. In some ways, however, this journey will never end, for everything that I have learned will follow me into the next. Every journey is a gateway to the next. And now, at last, I'm walking over the threshold into my next journey and into the success I've been working towards for so long, thanks to my parents, God, my family, and a little help from the people at Gateway Woods."
- Stephanie, GW resident
