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March, 2007

Girls Basketball Team Goes to State

We congratulate Chris Bell, a student at Cross Creek for scoring 1020 in his SAT test and 33 in his ACT test. Chris graduated February 2007 and is headed to St. Andrews Presbyterian College in North Carolina.

On February 15th, 18 girls headed towards Marysville, UT to stay at a cabin. The girls were full of excitement and energy for the upcoming State basketball game and the beginning of the Cross Creek basketball history.

The stay at the cabin was a wonderful experience for all the girls—and they had their share of cookies, goodies, movies… but their minds were filled with suspenseful thoughts for the morning.

The girls played in Ephraim, UT against number one seed North Summit. Not knowing what to expect, the Bobcats played their hearts out. Even though the girls did not win their game, the sportsmanship and humility won in the end. Many coaches from other teams made comments about how well the Cross Creek girls behaved and handled the rough calls and unfortunate ending.

On the way home the team celebrated the opportunity to even play at a state level, and thanked everyone for going to watch. The families in the stands, teachers, family reps and therapists who came brought so much support for the team.

The 2006-2007 Cross Creek Lady Bobcats will go down in history as the first team to ever win a varsity game, and to be invited to a competitive state playoff games. (By Courtney Smith, the team manager)

Message from Administration

We are so proud of our athletes at Cross Creek. They must stay eligible to play, they must have their therapy assignments handled, they must work in the kitchen, they are expected to staff seminars, they serve on the grievance committees, attend academic classes, etc. These young men and women are busy people. How great is that! Looking into their past, many of them would say “I never dreamed of playing sports again due to the poor choices I made when I was at home”. However, here they are making a difference on the court or on the field of play. Our hope is that these young people will take this determination and hard work home with them, so that “the field of play” they are in will benefit from them being there. We support them and thank the parents for cheering them on—win or loose! It really is not about winning a game, but it is all about how you play. Attitude, determination, hard work, dealing with disappointments, and teamwork are all essential to having a balanced, happy life.
GO TEAM! GO LIFE!!

Finding Peace in Service Work by Danelle Rouse

At home I would have never spent a second on other people. It is a lot different now. I have been on several service projects, which I truly have enjoyed. I find there is a great deal of satisfaction in the way I feel when I see people smile or find appreciation for the little things people will do for others.

For a while, when I first got started doing service work, I wanted acknowledgement, I wanted to be known for doing good things. I have gotten over that now, and I give service for the sheer act of giving. When I give service, it is a great opportunity to meet new people and test out my social skills. I learned that I have great customer service skills when I helped out at the St. George Marathon expo a few months ago. I have also volunteered to go to the convalescent home and help out at the local day care center.

The word “peace” was not part of my vocabulary before the program. Now it is a word that I have learned to continue to find, especially while doing service work. My grandpa is a great example of a giver. I look up to him for all the things he does for everyone else in his everyday life, and he is the most peaceful person I know.

This may sound “cheesy”, yet it is true. When people smile, it makes me smile. Laughter is a big thing for me—I love to laugh and to me that is part of what peace is all about—being happy, content and having a fulfilling life.

At home, people around me constantly gave, I constantly took. I am now standing in my greatness to give back what I was given. Giving service is a great peacemaker for myself. This is why I find giving service so peaceful.

My Lessons From Parent Child Seminar by Lindsay Portwood

When I was standing in line for PC II I had a lot on my mind. What has changed? What is this seminar about? Do I look OK? I also heard that we would fight a lot as a family and it is important for me to be open. I was scared of the unknown, and a possibility that this could change our family for the rest of our lives.

Little did I know that at the end of the three days I was the happiest and most open that I have ever been with my Mom and Dad. PC II was a point in my life where I realized I still needed to do a lot of work with myself. I also learned that I have work to do with feeling comfortable sharing with my family about fears and hopes. One lesson I learned is that my Mom and Dad will listen to me with no strings attached. This is something that I have made up about my family a long time ago that they didn’t listen unless there was something in it for them, and I was not willing to let it go.

It has been two months since PC II. Inside I feel free and happy and the relationships with my parents wouldn’t be where they are if I didn’t take the stretches I took while I was in PC II. It is a life-changing seminar I will always be grateful for. For so long I put myself in this place of a victim where I told myself that my parents don’t know what it is like to be me. In reality, I am not the center of the universe, and my family is human and they have feelings, too. Those are great lessons to learn.

Finishing What I Started by Morgan Eck

I came to Cross Creek on May 18th, 2005. For about 13 months of my program I sat and waited to be pulled. Every single day I would hope for one reason or another that my Dad would come and get me. I kept choosing out of Focus seminar and really never thought that I would graduate anything here. I was extremely resistant to changing anything about my life.

That all changed, though, in June of 2006. After three days of hard work, I graduated Focus, and it was amazing! After graduating Focus, I began to work. I wanted something different for my life, and I knew it.

Now, after being here almost 20 months, I am about 12 weeks away from graduating the program. I can’t really put into words how good I feel. I never thought that the day would come when I could say “I am going to graduate soon”, but it is finally here. I feel so good about myself right now. For so long I wanted to go home without doing the work to get there. Now that I have actually done the work, I wouldn’t want it any other way. I am much more committed in general to things I need to accomplish. For example, I started Cross Country this last season and finished. I was by no means the fastest, but I did it. If feels so great to be at the point that I am. I love my life!! I couldn’t have done it without the assistance of the Cross Creek Program, and I now have a whole new outlook on finishing something— and I am finishing something BIG.

Employees of the Month

Craig Hansen, a therapist for boys’ groups five an six, has been with Cross Creek Programs for almost six years. Craig worked in a similar facility for three years prior to Cross Creek, and in an inpatient psych hospital before that. Craig graduated Brigham Young University with master’s degrees in Psychology and Social Work. Craig is happily married and has three awesome daughters. He likes to work at Cross Creek for several reasons: Support given to parents in the form of seminars, support groups, and BBS Daily group with students Support of the administration. Craig enjoys working with the boys and enjoys watching them grow. Our second Employee of the month is Ms. Lorilie Lundell, a youth supervisor on the girls side. With her excellent knowledge of the program and treatment of the students makes her one of our best staff. Lorilie has worked at Cross Creek for one year, and is dependable, hard working and well liked by her peers and the students. Congratulations to both Craig and Lorilie.

Cross Creek Track and Field schedule

Hurricane Valley Invitational March 9-10 Delta High Track and Field March 20 Kanab Invitational March 24 Milford Invitational March 31 Parowan Track and Field April 4 Hurricane High School Track and Field April 12 Millard Invitational April 21 Washing County Invitational April 24 BUY Invitational May 4 Region Track and Meet © Millard May 9 State Championships May 18-19

Upcoming Parent Seminars

                Discovery           Focus               Keys
Bay Area        May 11-13           April 26-29         April 14-15
Southern CA     March 30-April1     March 15-18         March 24-25
Houston         May 4-6             March 8-11          April 21-22
Chicago         March 30-Apr. 1     March 22-25         April 14-15
Atlanta         April 13-15         May 31-June 3       March 31-April 1
Newark          April 27-29         March 1-4           May 19-20

How About Taking Short Cuts by Stacey Londos

When I think of short cuts, I think of an easier way of getting somewhere. When I think about a place that is worth going to, I think about something I am not going to regret once there. I think it is a privilege to realize that some times I have to go through a mess in order to get where I want to go, because everyone is struggling to make it. One place I think that is worth going is home.

The way to go home is all on me. I make this program last as long as I need to, and I am learning to get through struggles such as still wanting to lie and manipulate my way out. I know that Cross Creek is for me and about me, because without the tools here I could not become successful. I am learning that taking short cuts is not working at all. I would not learn anything, and there would not be much to be proud of.

Right now I am having a hard time in school, because I thought that the only way to get through school was by cheating. I wanted to go to college for the social life and the joy of being out of school when done. Now I am having to relearn things I should have already known. With my improved attitude about school I have realized that the kind of college life I was thinking of I don’t want anymore; I want to be there because I have earned the privilege by working hard and that I didn’t cheat anyone or myself to get there.

A place worth going to is something I can be proud of. Sometimes the learning comes through such things as a “silent process” where I learn to be by myself without being sad or mopey. This process taught me to be patient and to live with myself. I feel that as I am open to learning, I can also be open to working. There are no short cuts if I want to be successful. In order for me to be successful at home, I cannot take short cuts in my program.

I Can Make A Difference by Amanda Covington

I have big plans for my life, many of which include making a difference in our world. I can make a difference by doing all I am capable of. Choosing to say no to drugs, cleaning the beach, tutoring a child after school are all part of making a difference.

I can make a difference by choosing to live my purpose: to live, learn, and inspire while having fun! I can make a difference by teaching my little sister what values are, what the dangers of using are, the peace found in being selfless and helping others just for the gift of giving. I can show by example the amazing feeling of finding a passion in life and committing myself fully to it.

I can make a difference by doing amazing things in my life by following my dreams and goals. Leading by example and voicing my opinion when needed, I can become somebody’s hero. I can make a difference by being who I am; a Beautiful, Pure, Playful and Honest Young Woman whose purpose is to live, learn and inspire while having fun, and my values are love, peace, honesty, respect, spirituality, sobriety and family. And perhaps I can make a difference by writing this little article – who knows?

Sondra Lynn Williams Scott, LCSW 1947-2007

Sondra Scott, 60, therapist for E and F groups passed away the morning of March 5, 2007. Sondra has been employed by Cross Creek Programs since 1993, and she will be greatly missed by all her fellow employees, but most of all by her students and their families. Sondra has been battling poor health conditions for several years, and lost her valiant fight. She was one of those people you loved to be around—her spirit has always been strong and fun. A few weeks ago she had mentioned that when her time comes to leave here, she will be dancing with the angels and does not want anyone to be sad. We know she is dancing free from pain and with her new dancing shoes on!

PC 3 Grad Trip to Salt Lake City, UT February 2007

Thankful Cross Creek Parents

To all Cross Creek Staff!

Thank you for the investment of your time, energy, commitment and life to our son Kevin. We are blessed that such a facility exists, and we are aware that such a place would not be possible without all the people who contribute to make it the excellent facility that it is. We feel confident that Kevin is not only safe, but that he is also receiving the coaching, accountability, structure and care that will help him to be successful for the rest of his life. Please know that your efforts and contributions are making a difference in our family. We are looking forward to the rest of the journey with our son, and we are forever grateful all of you.

Hugs and Joy to all
Cathy and Dan S.

To the Staff of Cross Creek Manor!

Thank you for literally saving our daughter’s life. Sarah M. was escorted to your facility (in handcuffs) September 17, 2006. She is in A group with Ms. Jean and Mr. Ben. They are both wonderful and we feel so blessed to have them in our lives. The decision to seek your help was very difficult and sending our baby away (admitting we could no longer help her alone) was very painful. Now, looking back these past few months, we’ve come to realize she is exactly where she needs to be in the safe and loving arms our new extended family at Cross Creek. We are so grateful you were there for Sarah during a time of crisis for her and indeed our entire family. As a result of your efforts we have committed to the process of healing, accountability and positive change. It has been wonderful to see the gradual transformation of Sarah from a sullen, self destructive teen into a beautiful blossoming, healthy young woman. You have been the motivation for all of us to step outside our comfort zones and face the challenged of life with an open heart and mind. We truly appreciate your caring service for beyond words could never express. Again, thank you dearest staff and family. We are forever indebted to you.
With heart felt appreciation and gratitude God Bless you all

Terrie L.
I am a peaceful, worthy, loving woman!!!

Cross Creek PROGRAMS 150 N. State Street LaVerkin, UT 84745 435-635-0600 Phone: 435-635-0600 Fax: 435-635-9055 E-mail: www.info@crosscreekprograms.com

Cross Creek Programs provide a structured and supervised environment with high standards. Each student follows a regimented schedule and a firm set of rules. Students learn discipline while developing proper motivation and direction. Part of the program at Cross Creek includes on site therapy, as well as services of a psychologist and a psychiatrist. Self discovery type seminars enhance the program both for students and their families. Cross Creek is also an accredited High School/Middle School by Northwestern Accreditation. Having been in southern Utah for over 18 years, Cross Creek has become one of the renown establishments for teens in crisis, assisting families reunite and find solutions. Cross Creek Programs - not just a program but a solution.