Residential Treatment

Public speaking typically isn't high on the list of things most 17-year-olds enjoy, but for Hailey it is her way of giving back. Hailey, who is now in her second stay at LSI's Bremwood Residential Treatment Center, wants people to know that teens like her can make the most of second chances.

"I want to be a motivational speaker," said Hailey. "It is something I've wanted to do since my life started changing. I want to spread the word to everyone."

Hailey's positive success has been a long process and has involved challenges created by her environment and personal choices. At 15, Hailey was running away from her dad, ditching school and didn't have respect for anyone or anything, she said. To complicate matters, her mother was also involved in drugs, making substance abuse a lifestyle for her and Hailey.

Eventually, life caught up to Hailey, and she was arrested for assault and theft, which led her to Bremwood. Upon her arrival, Hailey continued her negative behaviors until one day a fight and some home visits that involved bad choices made her pause to think about what she was doing with her life.

"I thought ‘I need to stop this. It isn't right, and this is not where I need to be or what I want with my life,'" Hailey said.

She bought into treatment at Bremwood and was discharged, but temptation was too much to resist. Hailey was doing well until her mother was released from prison; Hailey then began running and doing drugs again.

She faced a crossroads. As she talked to her parole officer about the prospect of going home again, she made a tough decision. She asked if she could go back to Bremwood.

"I knew that Bremwood helped me," said Hailey. "I had second thoughts about going home and came back here, and it's been helping me a lot."

Since her second stay at Bremwood began, Hailey has made great strides, realizing she has the power to make positive choices. She is excelling in a transitional living program that teaches the skills necessary for healthy independence when residents no longer have the supports of residential treatment.

Hailey hopes to eventually move into the next step of the program, supervised apartment living, and then on to college where she will have the opportunity to hone her public speaking skills. It's a talent she displayed when she spoke at Bremwood's Have a Heart for Kids Benefit Ball and Auction in February.

"Oh my gosh! I loved talking at the Heart Ball," she said. "I felt so good having all of those people up there who actually listened to me and wanted to hear my story. I loved being up there."

The Heart Ball guests loved Hailey too, showing their support by raising a record amount for Bremwood. It was truly a night to remember, not only for Bremwood, but for one brave young woman making the most of her second chances.