A patient at Cedar Crest Hospital & Residential Treatment Center in Belton, Texas shares how the team changed her life, caring for her like family when her own abandoned her. They gave her the support she needed to grow, recognize her worth and look to the future with hope. With deep gratitude for the lasting impact of her treatment, she now has college and a brighter future ahead. Thank you to the team at Cedar Crest for lifting people up with hope and reminding them of their value through your compassionate care.
“Although I can’t speak for everyone’s experience here, I had a pretty positive experience two years ago with staying with them. At the time I was 17 years old, and I had come from an abusive family who refused to take me back or take responsibility for taking care of me. And the staff went above and beyond to take care of my well-being and make sure that I was OK.
When I first came in overnight with all of the girls, I didn’t have any clothes or hygiene items. I literally just came in with the stuff I had on. And the overnight staff was extremely accommodating with me and super sweet; they took me to the back to find clothes to wear and literally the next day when I saw [one of them] again, she spent her own money to provide me with the daily, essential things to take care of myself.
I had other staff like Mama T and Mrs. Carol who were also very kind to me and watched over me. As an African-American woman, the products that they typically have for hair isn’t very good for our hair, and Mrs. Carol went out of her way to buy hair products for me and do my hair every other week as well as the other girls.
I didn’t have parental support like the other kids did where the parents would send their kids body wash, shampoo and conditioner, hygiene products, and other things to help the child take care of themselves. The staff used their own money from their paychecks every week to make sure I had hygiene products and proper-fitting clothes for myself, and also that I had books to read and things to help distract my mind off of the situation I was going through.
I’m writing this review because if it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t be here today. I’m 19 years old with my own apartment, my own job, and soon my own car and am going to COLLEGE NEXT YEAR because of you guys!!! I’m financially stable and taking good care of myself. They got me together and most of them were like family to me when my family didn’t have my back.
I was put through so much just at 17 years old and they treated me like their daughter. We were all fed, we had a roof over our heads, and were given activities to stimulate our minds. If you wanted to act out and start fights and hit the staff, of course you’re going to sit out of things. They changed my perspective and gave me hope in living instead of being angry at the world.
I was here for about 11 months and the friends I made there were like sisters to me just as much, and we all look up to each other more than anything. We all had our ups and downs, but the important thing was we made it work. I write this review on my experience only as only good has come out of this. Thank you guys for sticking with me during my worst and seeing [my] worth more than what I saw. I pray and hope you guys are continuing to help children with the difficulties they struggle with and touch them with the same light you have done with me.”