PEP Graduate Unlocks the Next Level

It’s graduation season here at Positive Education Program. All of PEP’s schools hold ceremonies to celebrate the two types of graduates we recognize: those who are graduating from high school and those who are “graduating” back to their home districts.

Each PEP graduate has a unique story and exciting dreams for the future. That’s why we weren’t surprised when we caught up with Daniel Davis, a senior from PEP Willow Creek, and he shared some big news with us. He has been accepted to Cuyahoga Community College and plans to pursue a career in video game design. Daniel values the education and support he received from PEP and believes it is part of the reason he is where he is today. He is also grateful to the staff who have helped him along the way and takes a moment to thank them in this video.

 

 

Like so many of the young people we serve at PEP, Daniel faced numerous challenges in a traditional school setting. As he notes in his interview, it wasn’t until he felt the “genuine care and concern” of the staff at PEP that he began to take school more seriously. Because he trusted the staff at PEP Willow Creek, he says he began coming to school regularly and staying awake in class.

Relationships Make the Difference

Daniel’s new-found engagement is not the first time we’ve seen the healing power of trusting relationships in action. In fact, one of the principles of Re-ED, PEP’s foundational philosophy, is “Trust between the child and adult is essential.” Related to that principle is the role of the teacher-counselor. At PEP we consider any adult that builds a meaningful, trusting relationship with a child a teacher-counselor. We know these relationships have healing power and we can see that that is certainly the case for Daniel.

We look forward to seeing where life will take our next group of graduates. They have worked so hard to get where they are. As for Daniel, he has unlocked the next level of his journey! We are anxiously awaiting playing the first video game he releases.

Learn More

To learn more about PEP Willow Creek or to learn more about PEP’s other Day Treatment Centers, visit our website. Contact Nicole Molnar, clinical coordinator, at 216-361-7760 ext. 110 or via email to see if a student in your district may be a good fit.

Please note, referrals are made through school districts. Interested parents or caregivers should contact their school administrator.