La Verne, CA 91750
Phone: (909) 596-5921
Fax: (909) 596-7583
Success Stories
"I have often said we must feel another’s needs before we can fill them." – John H. Groberg
" My name is Celeste, and I was a resident at David and Margaret in 2002 and 2003. I lived there for about 6 months, 2 months on campus and then four months in an off campus group home.
Let me share with you why I became a resident of David and Margaret. Until I was 15, I pretty much led a Brady Bunch life. I was very fortunate to have a supportive and loving family and not have very many worries. Until one day, my mother became sick. In less than 12 hours my mom went from feeling a little sick to doctors telling us she wouldn’t make it through the night. My world pretty much collapsed. My mother eventually stabilized but her prognosis was still terminally ill. I became a vulnerable teenager and did not have the emotional tools to deal with what my world had become. I was sent to live at a residential treatment center in San Diego. After living there for a few months I was transferred to David and Margaret so that I could be closer to my family and start my transition back home.
Some of the experiences I had while living at David and Margaret really shaped my life. The teachers and staff were so supportive. It was reassuring to know that they still believed in me when I had pretty much given up hope. I quickly blossomed while I was there. I was able to move off campus quickly, and had many opportunities open to me. I worked in the kitchen on campus, I was on the newspaper staff at Joan Macy, the on campus school, I volunteered at an elementary school classroom and worked for months sewing and making a quilt with a volunteer. I recently found some of the yearbooks that were made while I was still a resident. In one I was voted “most intellectual” and in another was voted “most likely to succeed.”
Now let me tell you where life has taken me after David and Margaret. I am now 23 years old. I graduated from University of California, Riverside with a major in psychology at the top 10% of my class. I am in my first year of my Master’s program at Cal State San Bernardino, working on my Master’s in Social Work. I am interning at the Pomona Unified School District in an Early Intervention Program for at-risk youth. I have also been volunteering at the David and Margaret Home for the past 3 years as a project leader through United Way."
"My name is Debra O. and I was a resident at David & Margaret in 1996. I am married and have three children of my own and live in Florida. I remember that while I was a resident I attended the program in the Learning Enhancement Center (LEC), and the program helped with my learning problems. I recently called wanting to know if there was an LEC in Florida where I could send my own six-year-old daughter so she could get help with her own learning difficulties."
"My name is Bob McGaughey. My brother Leo and I lived at David & Margaret in the early 1960s while our mom, Sonia, finished her teaching degree at UCLA. She was a divorced, struggling mother of four, on welfare, and determined to be self-sufficient. I’m very proud of her and later cherished the year and a half I lived among many unique, fascinating, and at times rebellious young personalities. It was never boring. Leo always said it was the favorite part of his youth. Our campus at D&M is more beautiful now than ever. We are 100 years old, and offer many more services and opportunities to our young residents than in the past. Now, we are able to help the whole family! But remember, these wonderful things cost money! Millions of dollars! Every year! I know, I have been on the Finance Committee, and have been a proud Board member. Please join my wife Betsy and I in giving generously. With your help, we can make it happen into the next hundred years! I’m so grateful that David & Margaret was there for me. "
“Thanks for opening my eyes. When I walked into David & Margaret, I wanted to leave. But as the days went by I realized it was an amazing place to be. I want to thank you not only for allowing me to be here but also for my birthday presents, and for sheltering me during my time of need.” - an emergency shelter client
"The Learning Enhancement Center (LEC) has changed me so much it has helped me control and cope with my anger in a better way. When I first started LEC I disliked that place I thought it would never help me in way I could control my anger because everything that came out of my mouth was bad words and a bad attitude. And there’s been a difference in school. It's starting to become a little more understanding (sic) and easier. My attitude in school is better in school. I don't go off on people as often. It's easier to follow directions in school and in the cottage." - a young woman in our residential program
"I don't want people to know. People who cut them selves (self injure) feel really guilty and ashamed afterward. You're not proud of it. I’m getting better and trying to figure out why I do it and stop.”- a client in the self-injury program
"I’d recommend ADAM to future students because for an hour, you can get a lot out of it. People open up and relate to you and I learned about the triggers or feelings associated with anger. It let me think why I or somebody else is feeling angry. It also made me realize how dangerous being a passenger in a drunk driver's car can be. I would never get into the car with someone who has been drinking."
- a graduate of Alcohol & Drug Intervention and Anger Management classes held in the community of Claremont