“I can’t believe I’m leaving here,” Savion said as he looked at his room at the Calabrese Youth Center (CYC) for the last time.
The bare walls and stripped bed simultaneously told a story of an ending and a new beginning.
Laying in the hallway next to his room, one could find a basketball, kicks, piles of clothes and moving bags marking a chapter closing at Laradon.
But first, let’s rewind to 7 months ago, when Savion first arrived at Laradon.
“The first day I came here I was extremely nervous I didn’t know what to think. I was just ready to step into this new journey,” Savion remembered.
And so, Savion’s journey at the CYC began.
The CYC is one of five programs at Laradon. It is a 24-hour residential facility that serves teenagers eleven to eighteen with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The program focuses on resolving social, emotional, and behavioral difficulties. When the CYC teens reach their individual goals made by the Laradon team they then return to their home or community. Right now, the CYC serves 11 teens.
Those who go to the CYC also attend the Laradon School. The Laradon School has tailored learning programs for each student. This allows the students, like Savion, to learn in an environment that they can thrive in.
Before transitioning out of the CYC in August 2024, Savion was determined to make the most of his time there.
With the support of the CYC team, Savion found a good balance between being social and taking time for himself.
His social side catered to basketball games with the other teens, and fun outings at the mall. When he needed a moment to reset, he would tap into his creative side and would create music— something he had always been so passionate about.
Through this experience at Laradon, Savion was able to expand on his social skills with the support of the CYC Team and the Laradon School crew. Savion was able to make friends with students and teens across both these programs during his time at Laradon.
Savion’s growth socially left him feeling optimistic on the lasting mark he would make on Laradon.
“I’m proud. I really tried to make a difference in some of these kids’ lives and try to influence them and drive them” Savion explained.
Savion expressed his personal drive and determination was what helped him reach all his goals throughout the 7 months he had been at Laradon.
Savion’s determination and ongoing support from the CYC staff and Laradon School team paved the way for is successful transition out of the CYC.
His new beginning will take place at a local high school, where he’ll be stepping into his sophomore year. With his experience at Laradon and developing new relationships with its staff and teens. All of us from Laradon are positive that Savion will flourish in this new environment.
“I am very excited. It’s a brand-new start to being me,” Savion said with a smile. “No matter where I am, I’m going to grind to success. I’m going to make the best no matter where I am.”
Written by: Parker Gordon, Laradon’s Communication Coordinator
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