About six months ago, a young girl entered our Adolescent Program at The Center for Great Expectations. She came in full of intensity—defensive, quick to anger, and often yelling at her young child—not out of cruelty, but because no one had ever taught her a different way.
But what we’ve seen since then is nothing short of remarkable.
Through our trauma-informed approach and Early Relational Health counseling, this young mother has transformed. She’s gone from lashing out to listening, from isolating to collaborating with her peers. Most importantly, she’s becoming a nurturing, patient mother, one who speaks to her child with compassion rather than frustration.
“This is the heart of CGE’s work. We don’t just provide shelter we provide healing, support, and the tools to build healthier futures. This is the beauty of the trauma treatment model and Early Relational Health counseling provided at CGE. They make such a difference. It warms my heart to see this young lady’s transformation.”
CGE’s Adolescent Residential Treatment Program provides mental health and trauma-informed care to pregnant or parenting young women (ages 13–20) and their children (up to age 5). Many have faced immense adversity; poverty, abuse, homelessness—before ever reaching adulthood. At CGE, we help break that cycle.
Learn more about how we’re working to end the cycle of trauma, abuse, and homelessness: www.cge-nj.org/adolescent-program
