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2009 Without the Grandparents Resource Center, little Ronnie would be homeless. This young man was misdiagnosed at the age of six and half by the Department of Human Services/Cleo Wallace Center in Westminster with multiple mental health issues, PDD, ADDHD, PTSD, bi-polar disorder, extreme behavioral and emotional problems. Ron had frequent violent episodes, was socially inept, and behaved upset.. Ron was on so many medications he was clearly confused. The therapist at Cleo Wallace Center's said, "he is not normal and never will be". Little Ronnie now big Ron age 23 his statement to this was, "Cleo Wallace was rude and didn't know what they were talking about". ____________________________________________________ Sixteen years ago, the Grandparents Resource Center answered a phone call from Grandma Sally. Grandma Sally wanted custody of Little Ronnie who had been placed in foster care. The GRC and Grandma Sally intervened into the Department of Human Services case in Adams County to allow her to adopt him. After 2 years Grandma Sally was able to adopt Little Ronnie. Today, Ron says that was the best day of his life when he knew he was going home to live with his grandma. He never thought he would ever get out of foster care. Just recently Ron visited the Grandparents Resource Center along with his grandmother to wish us Merry Christmas. Grandma Sally and Ron said they wanted to visit the GRC so we could see how successful Little Ronnie life turned out to be. Ron now age 23 works at a health foods store in north Denver, is a graduate of East High School, lived in Africa for a year to experience the culture and to learn it's native languages. He volunteers his time at the neighborhood recreational center working with senior citizens, at Christmas time he gives to the Teen Parent Program at West High School run by Janet Bensen, LCSW and volunteers at other non-profit organizations around Denver. Ron says, without the Grandparents Resource Center and their hard work helping his grandma she wouldn't have been able to adopt him, that he would have fallen through the cracks not being able to have a normal life. He would have become another victim of the foster care system. Ron's last comment was, "the GRC made a profound difference in his life". Ron wants you to know, if you are having trouble getting custody of your grandchildren placed in foster care, he wants you to call the Grandparents Resource Center at 303-980-5707 ask for Natalie or Shirley. He says, they will help you and your grandchildren.
Natalie D. Pedrin Shirley M. Berens
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