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| Students at the Phoenix Academy of Austin. |
An open house at the Phoenix Academy of Austin attracted old and new friends of Phoenix House. Among the guests were district judges, human service professionals, educators, and executives from Texas Monthly magazine, A Glimmer of Hope Foundation and the Theodore Davis Charitable Trust. For most, visiting the Academy and learning about the intensive teen treatment program was an eye opener.
All agreed that the highlight of the event were the student tours of the Academy. The young guides shared their stories of how they came to Phoenix House and how much they had changed in the process. They spoke of families being reunited, improved school grades, and learning about how their substance use had affected themselves and their families.
Darlene Byrne, a Judge with the126th Judicial District Court had this to say: “Recently I had the opportunity to visit the Austin Academy, run by Phoenix House. Meeting these students individually and seeing Phoenix House programs at work was revealing and heartwarming. Here, these young people have the chance to change their lives and the future. From my bench, I hear firsthand the conflicts and tragedies affecting families so when I see young people working so hard to change the direction of their lives I applaud their work and successes.”
Cecilia Rohloff of JPMorgan Chase Trust Advisors echoed her sentiments saying, “The young man who gave me a tour of the Austin Academy was so proud and very enthusiastic to show me around. I really learned how they live and go to school while at the Academy – so many details. But the overwhelming feeling I left with was the intense pride these young people feel working to change their lives during their stay at Phoenix House.”
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