Lamar began his treatment at The Village’s Extended Day Treatment (EDT) program in Manchester when he was SIX years old.
According to his grandmother—his primary caregiver—Lamar had difficulty managing his emotions, which resulted in aggressive behavior and being disruptive in school, and at home. Lamar was struggling and unhappy, and it was impacting the entire family.
The Village’s EDT program, which lasts six months, turned out to be a game-changer. The program features individual and family therapy, peer groups and innovative approaches, such as the Doc Wayne sports therapy program, to teach children how to express their feelings in healthy, productive ways. Lamar says being active and playing sports and games was his favorite part. He was able to be creative, enjoy positive interactions with peers and adults, and ultimately improve how he communicates.
Lamar and his grandmother also benefited from other programs, including in-home and outpatient therapy, and The Village’s Child First program, which is an intensive therapeutic intervention for families and their young child. The goal is to reduce the impact that toxic stress can have on the development of a child.
Today Lamar is happier and credits The Village for teaching him his coping skills. His grandmother calls it a transformation and says that for the first time she has hope for the future.
I was feeling mad and sad and not happy. Now I’m doing better. I like that The Village [taught] me my coping skills.
