Every month, we feature a United Way Partner Agency’s client experience, demonstrating the impact that donations to United Way of Sheboygan County are making. This month’s client experience was submitted by Tessa Wilterdink, Sheboygan Falls Unit Director. Here’s their story:

“In February, the staff at the Club recognized a member as the Youth of the Month for the activity room. Typically, this would not be a big deal, but for this member, it was different. This young boy came to our Club at the end of January, broken and lost. His father is in jail and his mother lost custody of him, so his grandparents are now his legal guardians. Along with all this happening, he changed schools and Boys & Girls Clubs, all while having severe ADHD.

“All that change had him overwhelmed and he began to lash out at the Club, getting physical with other members, using foul language, and refusing to listen to staff. Typically, he would have been kicked out for this type of behavior, but with everything he was going through, I was not ready to give up on him.

“We set up a system: every day when he got to the Club, he would do a coloring page, something to keep his hands and mind busy. Outside of that, Scott* and I worked on expressing himself and handling his feelings. That way when he gets upset, he knows how to talk about it without having to lash out.

“Now he takes pride in coloring pages. Every day he brings them to my office, excited to show off his latest coloring.

“This past month, Scott was named Activity Room Youth of the Month because of his progress and great behavior at the Club. When I told his grandma about it, she was almost in tears.

“As challenging as this has been for us and Scott, it has been equally hard on her. I am sure she was not anticipating raising a six-year-old boy while working two jobs. I could always see the look of defeat on her face when I would have to talk to her about Scott’s behavior. So, when I was able to tell her about his amazing improvements, she genuinely looked filled with joy. The look on her and Scott’s face that day will always warm my heart whenever I think about it.”

*Name has been changed