PIERCETON —  Pierceton Woods Academy held their own Thanksgiving celebration this week, which included preparing and enjoying a traditional Thanksgiving meal. Residents also created a ‘Thankful Wall’ where they shared what they are grateful for this year. Many of the responses included having a place to live, appreciation for staff and feeling safe.

Due to their troubled past and lack of a stable home life, many of these young men haven’t been able to experience a typical childhood that includes traditional holiday celebrations surrounded by family. The caring staff at Pierceton Woods Academy provide as many normal experiences as possible for the boys who live at this facility.

Part of the treatment program at PWA includes a structured and safe environment to complete year-round school, learn the social skills they lack and learn valuable life lessons to prepare them for a healthy and successful future. Many of the young men were able to participate in the preparation of this Thanksgiving meal as part of the vocational program available to them. In this program, there are jobs available such as cooks and kitchen staff where they earn real-life experience to be used in the workforce after they leave Pierceton Woods Academy. These jobs have an application and interview process, and residents are given wages for the hours they work.

With the help of Vocational Manager Bob Jones, the kitchen crew made enough turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes and all of the usual Thanksgiving favorites for all 50 plus residents to enjoy.

When asked about his work in the kitchen, one of the boys, George G., said, “This is the first time I’ve ever helped cook a turkey. It’s been fun to learn my way around a kitchen. When I told my mom I was part of the kitchen staff, she was really proud of me. I can’t wait to go home and cook for her.”

During lunch, residents and staff played games and enjoyed a time of camaraderie. Many of the executive team members from the Lifeline office in Fort Wayne joined them for this celebration.

“This is one of my favorite events of the year. Its important to make the guys feel like they are part of a family, especially during the holidays when they miss their own families so much. The staff staff does a great job pouring into them and encouraging them,” said Kevin Hedrick, chief operating officer at Lifeline, who makes the trip from Fort Wayne to help serve the meal every year.

Lifeline Youth & Family Services and Pierceton Woods Academy staff look forward to this day every year and will continue to find ways to make a difference in the lives of those they serve.