When he first began attending Casa Pacifica’s Non-Public School (NPS), 16-year-old Owen would wear a hood and cover his face with a mask. It wasn’t COVID that he was afraid of.
“My family had it rough. My mother worked two jobs but we were always moving and sometimes homeless. I didn’t feel safe anywhere or trust anybody,” Owen explains.
For several years, Owen, his mother and younger brother shuttled between motels and shelters, never settling in one place for more than a few months. Exhausted from poor sleep in sometimes unsafe surroundings, Owen was suffering from depression and anxiety. He became increasingly isolated and withdrew from his friends and family.
“Not only was it hard to see Owen’s face, but he barely spoke and never made eye contact,” says Owen’s teacher, Roberta Holt. “He was anxious and chronically stressed from all the instability in his life. We knew that we had to build trust to so his emotional healing could begin. That’s our approach at the NPS.”
Casa Pacifica’s NPS is a WASC accredited, diploma-granting institution that serves children and youth in grades K-12 who face mental health challenges or learning disabilities. NPS provides a safe, relationship-based environment with a focus on social-emotional learning to help kids just like Owen.
Roberta worked with Owen’s interests and skills to engage him in his education. She knew he loved basketball and that his favorite player was Kevin Durant.
“English class was challenging for Owen. I decided to tap into his interest and have him write a paper on Kevin Durant. We worked together to correct spelling and grammar. Owen was able to complete the same assignment as his classmates but was more confident because the of the extra support and encouragement.”
Doing well on his assignments, making new friends and working with his teachers helped raise Owen’s confidence. After several months, he stopped covering his face and wearing his hood. A few months later he was speaking up in class and participating.
“I don’t think I’d be where I am now without Casa Pacifica,” Owen says. “My teachers believed in me. For the first time I felt there was hope for my mental health. And for my future.”
Through personalized academic interventions and compassionate guidance, Owen discovered the courage to trust others and pursue his passions. He is on track to graduate high school in 2025.
You can help ensure kids like Owen have a bright future by supporting Casa Pacifica! Due to the mental health crisis affecting children and youth, along with the significant shortage of children’s mental health resources, your support is more vital than ever.