29. December 2011 by admin.

Our boys

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27. December 2011 by admin.

• In a recent finding 75 % of the youth in Juvenile jails suffer from untreated mental health issues.
• 60% were physical and sexually assaulted as little children.
• *If this article below disturbs you – please kindly support CBR YouthConnect. It takes the kindness of others to reach deep into their pockets and support our children. It takes you. Become the “U” in YouthConnect. Please help CBR YouthConnect. Visit our web-site at www.cbryouthconnect.org.

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20. December 2011 by admin.

AN “almost” PERFECT CHRISTMAS
By: Martin Masar

Sometimes it takes the wisdom of a child to open the eyes of others. In September of 2011, as the leaves of fall were finding their way down to the ground, a group of children at CBR YouthConnect were having a group meeting. One of the youngsters indicated that he did not know the meaning of giving and sharing, because he had never experienced it in his life. He recalled his young years of disillusionment and distrust. He could not have prevented his birth or the years of testing and doctors all trying to help the struggling parents find an answer to his many behavior problems. It was suggested during the group that possibly by giving to others, in any way he felt comfortable, he might be able to experience the feeling of giving. The feeling when your heart swells a hundred times and you know – it was “almost perfect”. The group of children conjured up a plan to ask needed area families to come and participate in the annual CBRYC Christmas Party.
I suppose this is where I come in, as Executive Director my job was to find those needy families. I was certain I would have no trouble finding them and with the help of another service organization three families were eventually identified. We gently contacted each and asked if they would like to come to our Christmas party. We told them there would be plenty of gifts for the children and even gifts for the parents too – no one was to be left out this Christmas.
The families were overwhelmed and tearful. As the Holiday Season approached we began the preparations for the annual event, with planning, parades, and a myriad of other events and activities needing to be coordinated. Oh, and it was decided that no agency funds were to be used for these families. If this giving from our youth to these families were to occur, it would be from our hearts. In the lessons we learn, the greatest act of giving is that which comes from within. Finding that perfect place makes for an almost perfect Christmas.
In the weeks that followed, children and staff from CBR YouthConnect reached deep into their pockets and began purchasing items for the affectionately called “CBRYC Christmas Families”. One 12 year old youngster recalled he was once on the receiving end of this type of kindness. He reached into his pocket and produced a ragged torn one dollar bill. He placed it in the donation box and smiled. This act of kindness had a profound effect on all of us. Then, as if by some magical force from somewhere just beyond the Northpole the donations flooded in.
Several days prior to the annual event, staff members packed up several Christmas trees, lights and ornaments and took them to the family homes. We did not want the families go to another day without a Christmas tree and lights. In one home, found to be barely fit for the family, with plastic covered windows and other bits and pieces of life sewn together to hold the house intact, a child of maybe three or four answered the door.
The staff handed him the Christmas tree, lights and ornaments. His eyes burst open and not sure he was believing what he was seeing, he placed the tree box on the ground and laying beside it studied the picture of the Christmas tree. He excitedly shouted out, “Is this what I think it is - is this it – is this our Christmas tree?” The staff whose eyes were now filled with tears announced excitedly, “Yes, and lights too and ornaments – all for you and your Christmas tree!” The mother proud in her way, fought back tears as she tried in-vain to hush the Christmas spirit within the child.
As the child danced out his excitement, he paused only momentarily to ask his mother “is this now an almost perfect Christmas?” She wiped the tears from her eyes and gently caressing his face replied, “Yes, this is now an almost perfect Christmas.”
Oh, and on that night of nights, the CBRYC annual Christmas party, the children of CBRYC who masterminded this idea met the Christmas Families. It is in those moments, those unexpected times when the eyes of a four year old child meets with the eyes of a 10 year old, the boundaries of life fade and all to a suddenly they are but lifelong friends - drawn together by the magical spirit of Christmas.
It wasn’t until after the festivities were over, the meal devoured, and the gifts unwrapped, that one youngster who had been rather vocal about his experiences with giving approached me. “Nice night Mr. Masar?” he asked. I replied, “Almost perfect, you agree?” He stared away, somewhere beyond the Northpole to a magical and wonderful place and said, “Naw, it was perfect.”
*It takes the kindness of others to reach deep into their pockets and support our children. It takes you. Become the “U” in YouthConnect. Please help CBR YouthConnect. Visit our web-site at cbryouthconnect.org.

**In 2011, 90% of the children residing at CBR YouthConnect, voluntarily reached into their hearts and donated from their meager bank accounts to the CBRYC Christmas Families. For the staff this generous act of giving by the children in their care – was indeed priceless and yes, A Perfect Christmas.

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16. December 2011 by admin.

The United States ranks #1 in child abuse deaths . . . . . . in the industrialized world.
When Brian was much too little to remember most things, he lived in a world of abuse and neglect. He suffered from severe physical abuse and torture. Tied to his bed for hours and sometime days, he would lapse into a make believe world where children were happy and fed and cared for and maybe loved too. He remembers screaming and fighting as he was forced into a freezer and the door locked. There in the isolated, dark chill, he would think that maybe this time, like so many other times before, if only he could behave better they would not hurt him. Yet, with each time, there came another round of beatings, and deep inside he found a place of anger, revenge and hatred. Into this world a child named Brian was born. In time, Brain’s behavior did match his abuse and he came to be called incorrigible, disruptive, disordered, deficit, and disturbed. An untreatable child destine for prison.
Upon his arrival at CBR YouthConnect, Brain was heavily overmedicated - a walking zombie of sorts. The medications were used to subdue his violent tendencies. Like the layers of a rose, peddle by peddle and thorn by thorn, the professionals at CBR YouthConnect began to look for the child hiding deep inside. A child afraid of the world and yet yearning to be happy and fed and cared for and maybe loved too. In the 15 months that have passed, Brain is gently and confidently on his way. No struggle such as that which Brian endured is easily over or cured, but in time maybe the hurt and fear will subside.
Brain’s caseworker and legal advocate visited recently. They praised his accomplishments and recognized his growth. During their closing discussions they asked Brain what he wanted for Christmas. Brian replied he did not need anything, for all he had ever wanted he found here. The kindly caseworker replied, but I bet you could use some money, what 15 year old doesn’t want $150 dollars. She handed Brian the money. He looked at the generous offering and turned to his legal advocated and placed the money in her hands. He then said give this to another child who has no home for Christmas.
Sometimes the greatest moments of healing are never for those we intended. The advocated said in forty years no child has ever given the money back. She bowed her head down and wept. They were not tears of sadness, but maybe because Brian had finally found a place in this world where children were happy and fed and cared for and loved too.

It takes the kindness of others to reach deep into their pockets and support our children. It takes you. Become the “U” in YouthConnect. Please help CBR YouthConnect. Visit our web-site at cbryouthconnect.org.

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13. December 2011 by admin.

Count backward from 10 to 1, one second at a time. Ten, nine, eight, go on, finish. Why? Just so you would feel the exact moment when another child across the United States suffers from abuse. Every 10 seconds in the United States a child abuse report is made, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
CBR YouthConnect is a nationally recognized center for hurt children from across the United States. With age ranges from 10 to 21, and 50 plus years of business, we have seen the most horrendous and repulsive forms of child abuse. . . . and it isn’t getting any better. No backyard, no neighborhood and no community are immune from child abuse. We recently admitted a youngster from a charming idyllic mountain community who pristine tranquility was shattered by recognition that one of their own, a 10 year old child, was forced to stand in a snow bank as punishment. A kind individual spotted the child and after considerable time notified the authorities. Prior to admission, the child had several toes amputated.
Today, this child is healthy and well. His healing journey has just begun in the caring and capable hands of the professional experts at CBR YouthConnect. His care and treatment, like so many others who have been hurt, is expensive. The economic struggles of the nation have devastated public funding for our most vulnerable persons – our children.

It takes the kindness of a stranger, who has seen enough, to reach deep into their pockets and support our children. It takes you. Become the “U” in YouthConnect. Please help CBR YouthConnect. Visit our web-site at cbryouthconnect.org.

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13. December 2011 by admin.

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9. December 2011 by admin.

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13. June 2011 by admin.

Listening for Christmas spirit, I have heard it. At the request of someone that understands the meaning of Christmas, we placed outdoor speakers right outside my office at Admin. This meant that I had to get out onto a ladder with ice and snow everywhere. Would this produce the feeling of Christmas? Many walked by and said that the kids would mess with them or that everyone in the building would be ready to roast me like a Christmas turkey for having to listen to that stuff all day. Today made it all worth my while. I had been listening to traditional Christmas music when I thought I would put on one of my favorite CD’s, the “Polar Express” sound track. It wasn’t long until the famed “Hot Chocolate” song began to play over the speakers. Much to my amazement, boys where outside my door, between classes, singing along. That made it all worth it. My heart filled with joy like a stocking full of toys. That was the Christmas spirit Paula had wanted. Merry Christmas.

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7. April 2011 by admin.

At times, working at CBR YouthConnect you get to a point where you think you could not be more proud of “Our Boys” and then you experience just one more thing that makes you so proud to be affiliated with such wonderful and talented young men that it brings tears to your eyes. Once again it has happened. The boys in the Art’s and Craft’s class participated in the 55th Annual Otero Art’s Festival. With over 2,000 participants this year, representing 27 schools, CBRYC had a number of submissions from 14 boys, with 11 of those entries earning ribbons! This represents 30% of all the children at CBRYC. Once again I say gosh, I just couldn’t be more proud of “Our Boys!” We must congratulate all of the boys and also the staff who poured their hearts and dedication into completing the projects and getting them ready for submission into the Art Show. Marianne Hale and Corky McKenzie along with the help of Debbie Henderson and many unit staff helped in making this Arts Festival another memorable occasion! We must celebrate the milestones in the lives of these boys. It takes something different from a teacher - it requires a connection to the student. When our boys find that something inside that comes alive with the Arts, we once again have changed a life forever.

Posted in CBR Staff, Family, Youth | 1 Comment »

7. January 2011 by admin.

A Christmas Celebration