to whom this may concern,

hello. my name is Crystal. I am 21 years old, and now have a
3 year old son of my own. when I was 15, I was a client at
Abraxas leadership development program located in South
Mountain, Pennsylvania. I believe the year of my stay was 2004.
I would like to commend this program. it is absolutely amazing
and instilled so many positive, and insightful qualities in me as
a young adult, and still to this day. I don't even know where to
start. I don't know who I would be as a person, if it wasn't for
this program. of course, I listened, and had an open mind. unfortunately, every client will not do this. as I know from my
stay. thankfully, in this program I didn't do that. I was a very
troubled youth. defiant. angry. lonely. confused. I could go on,
and on. everything I felt, I projected it in a negative way toward everyone. especially my parents and teachers. I was absolutely
out of control. I can actually see the difference between me and
most people in which I communicate with. whether I have known
them for years, or if I have just met them recently. and that is
from my ability to identify, recognize, and accept my cognitive distortions, or (thinking errors). I can’t say that I can make a
list of them anymore, but I don't need to. they are a part of me,
and I use them to analyze my behavior and reactions in my daily
life. in this way I better myself through each day and experience.
that is what gave me morals. until Abraxas LDP I didn't have any.
I had no expectations of myself. I was miserably ignorant and
didn't know what was wrong, let alone how to change it. I am
such a better person because of that simple program. the staff
at your facility had the patience and took the time to get to know
me as a person, listen, and teach me these essential factors of
life. because that's what they are (the cognitive distortions). not
only that but the high structure environment and level of
standard that this program keeps you at is also a key factor.
always to strive for your best. such inspiration for those willing
to change. I learned a lot about myself. I was dedicated to

excellenceat this program and that's something I never even
had a desire for. for the first time in my life I had confidence!
and that is something that I will never forget. I don't know if he
still works there but Mr. Shawn Peck was my counselor. what an amazing counselor he was. if there is any possible way for
someone to get in touch with him please, give him my thanks.
and thanks to the entire program. oh and one final thought.
"today is the beginning of the rest of my life. I am committed to change. I will offer encouragement to others. knowing that by
helping others I help myself." I know there is more and honestly,
I don't remember what comes after "I will become a woman."
Anyway, this program is just absolutely amazing. once again,
thank you for everything.

respectfully yours,
Crystal