For Agencies & Schools

Selected Agency and School Testimonials about Penikese

Michael Jellinek, MD, Chief of Child Psychiatry, Mass. General Hospital: “Penikese Island School provides relationships, work, and education to build trust with teenagers who have been neglected, abused, or so persistently scarred that they trust no one. Jails, detention centers, group homes, multiple foster homes often cannot build this trust and the result for too many teenagers is a life of drug use and crime that is much more costly than the Penikese School program. Few places can give a hopeless teenager enough hope to change – Penikese does.”

Framingham Dept. of Social Services Adolescent Unit: Evelena Brown, Supervisor; Anne Edgar, Chris Mekjian, Juan Gastolomendo, Social Workers: “We, the social workers from the Framingham DSS unit, all agree that Penikese Island is the perfect placement for many of our troubled teenage boys. What is the reason for their success? Penikese takes a no-nonsense reality-based approach to treatment that emphasizes the boys’ strengths, not their weaknesses, and challenges them to rise to meet their potential. The boys know that their experience at Penikese is unique and valuable; they take comfort in and often utilize the program’s open door policy following their discharge. Many residents have voluntarily returned to the island for a weekend tune-up. Aftercare is an essential ingredient in the success of the lives of the Penikese graduate.”

Deborah Hornstein, Social Worker, Cambridge Dept. of Social Services: “Penikese is unique. It forces the kids to get along with one another and social skills become a necessity. Not only will staff tell you this, but the kids will also. Penikese provides these kids time away from everyday stressors and temptations and forces them to look internally. They learn about themselves and learn to be comfortable being themselves around peers and authority figures. It's an extremely healthy environment.”

Lynn Carlson, School Psychologist and Out of District Coordinator, Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School: “Since I have been the Out of District Coordinator at Lincoln Sudbury Regional High School, we have had 3 students at Penikese Island and all three made significant progress. One student left prematurely but the other two went on to complete high school and pursue higher education. All three students grew in maturity and self-awareness and described their stay at Penikese as a life changing experience. Professionally, I have enjoyed working with Penikese staff that are universally caring and committed.  I would not hesitate to refer another student to this program.”

Jennifer Huntington, Principal, Newton North High School: “When I first set foot on Penikese Island, I had no idea that I would be seeing and sharing a truly unique experience. On Penikese the boys begin to get a glimpse of something different: adults who care and who won't give up on them. There are high expectations for the students: they must learn to live in a community, they have responsibilities for each other and the environment, and they have to catch up on academics. Penikese is a serious place with a serious mission, but there is laughter too. As someone who has been invested in public education for over 20 years, I believe that our job as educators is to open doors, not close them. Penikese does just that in a remarkable and wonderful way.”

Sheriff James Cummings, Barnstable County: “The earlier we get involved with our youth who have made mistakes or bad decisions in life, the better chance we have of directing them toward a successful path in their lives. We can accomplish this through education, discipline, and building self-confidence. Penikese Island School does all of these things.”

Tim Carey, MSW, Juvenile Probation Officer, Middlesex Juvenile Court: “In my 12 years as a social worker and probation officer, I have never come across a program that is so right-on with how to address the needs of adolescent boys. This program makes all other programs pale in comparison.”

Dr. Robert Fleming, Court Psychologist, Barnstable County Juvenile Court: “There are no other programs that I know of in Massachusetts doing aftercare the way Penikese is.”

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