Spin Cycle | Hope Renews

About Us

Hope Renews was founded by parents of teens with severe emotional distress in residential treatment programs. Having had children in these programs we learned firsthand two things. First, that this kind of intensive intervention can be life saving. And second, we learned that it comes with a substantial price tag.

It has been our belief that this kind of care should not be the exclusive province of the wealthy. So we created a foundation to specifically address financial issues – through loans and grants directly to families, through the dissemination of information of resources that might be available to help pay for treatment, and through a forum of supportive voices to connect families facing this challenge.

Hope Renews has survived the critical first five years in operation. While our grant and loan program is focused on just one program, Vista Adolescent Treatment Center, the information in this website should be of use to the much broader universe of families struggling to pay for a child in treatment. More...

How Do I Pay for It?

Paying for treatment is a challenge to low- and middle-income families. But it is not impossible.

It takes a parent that is educated, dedicated, and thinks outside the box. It will require planning, locating resources, talking to programs, juggling tasks, all while you are trying to take care of your family. But if you approach this fight, armed with knowledge and support, you are more likely to get your child the help he needs. More...

Spin Cycle of Recovery

by Cathy Gilson
President

“Cycle of recovery” can be an optimistic phrase, if one focuses on the recovery. But that word, “cycle” tells the real story.

For many of us and our children, actual “recovery” per se is never going to happen. Many of the conditions that lead a child to treatment can’t be fully cured. Addictions will always tempt; mental illness can be a lapsed pill away; and self harm is an easy way to allay the emotional turbulence that is always a part of living.

How should one let them feel their own way as young adults?

This is not my personal strength. My kids are in their mid-20s and I burst with ideas about how they should live their lives. I sometimes plot strategies to manipulate them WITHOUT their even suspecting it. Suffice it to say, I am not successful. And I know, in my heart of hearts, I shouldn’t be.

This is now their journey – obstacles and all.

We must tend to our own peace of mind as they grope to find their way. We have to align our expectations to reality.

Hope Renews is here to lend a hand to families caught in the whirlwind of the cycles their kids go through. We need help doing that. Families of troubled teens have no place to turn. The benefits of helping these kids are huge – to the child, the parents, and let’s face it, to society. Indeed, nothing could be more important than saving these lives, for that is what we do.

I hope you will join us.

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Newsletter 2010

The Hope Renews Newsletter for 2010 (that is, a real, hold in your hands, line your bird cage, burn after reading, made from paper document) is in the final production phases.

The topic is ADVICE:

from therapists to parents,
from kids to therapists and parents and
from parents to therapists.

You won't want to miss it, so please send us your mailing address and we will make sure you to get a copy -- in the mail.

The Editors