In this heartfelt testimonial, Felecia Austin recounts the challenges her family faced after moving four times in five years, which led her youngest daughter Teresa to skip school, run away, and become pregnant. Feeling helpless, Felecia turned to a program called "the relatives" after learning about it through her husband's job. She describes contacting Curtis, a staff member, who instructed them to bring Teresa back to the program without worry. The relatives provided a safe, listening environment that allowed Teresa to express herself and receive support. Despite ongoing struggles, Teresa eventually returned home, pursued a GED, and became a mother to a son. Felecia expresses deep gratitude toward the staff, especially Curtis and Shakila, for rescuing her daughter and maintaining ongoing support, highlighting the program's lasting positive impact on their family.
Chapters
Good morning. Good morning. My name is Felicia Austin. We learned about the relatives through my husband's job. We thought it would be a great place to get involved. Little did we know we'd need their help. We have moved 4 times in the last 5 years For work, and each time my youngest daughter, Teresa, seemed to adjust very well. But this time it was different. She started skipping school, leaving for days at a time, and it seemed like all we did was argue when she was home. Then she was gone for 3 days. I was terrified. Oh my God, where is she? It seemed— is she safe? Is she alive? I'm praying the whole entire time, just keep her safe. Just keep her safe. We went to the police. They were very little help. We didn't find any true assistance until we called Curtis at the relatives. Curtis said, when she comes home, just bring her. Just bring her and don't worry about anything. And that's what we did. It was very hard. It was hard for me to leave her. But I knew it was the best thing for her. I knew that this would probably save her life. I knew that if she could go somewhere where she could be heard, somewhere where she could say what was on her mind and have someone to listen to her, she would feel as though things would get better. I understood that as a mom, when you have a teenager, you're like the enemy. And I blamed myself. Maybe she would have been okay if we didn't move. Maybe I should have listened to her more. What could I have done that was different? Did I listen enough? What was she trying to tell me by But I couldn't hear. That was definitely hard for me because that's my daughter. She's our baby, and that was very difficult. I didn't really have anyone I could confide in and talk to because I was ashamed as her mom. When she came— when she was at the relative's, I knew that she would have someone to talk to. I knew that she would be helped. I felt like Theresa had— if she had someone to talk to, she would for sure feel helped. When she came home from the relatives, it was still a struggle for her. Theresa was pregnant. Then she came home to me one day and she told me that she was in trouble. And she needed some help, and she wanted to return to the relatives. During her second stay at the relatives, Theresa made it clear that she did not want to come home. That was hard too. Although it broke my heart, I feel very grateful to the staff at the relatives for helping her. She was safe. She has done very well so far. She's working to get her GED, and she has a beautiful little boy, my grandson. I can't even think what I would have done without the relatives. They were wonderful, and they still are. Because I still talk to Shakila. And Teresa is a mom now, and I think she's growing up and maturing a lot. We talk on a regular basis, and our relationship is the best that it has been in a long time. I am very, very grateful for the relatives for giving us our daughter back. Thank you.
