Consumer Testimonials
I can’t thank you enough for all of your help and the staff’s help over at Northwest, because, we truly believe that you all saved Cassandra, and because of you all and her hard work, that we have her here today. I can tell you that Cassandra is wanting to go to school and be able to work in a place like Northwest to help others as you all did for her.
(Parent)
Eli has been chosen as Student of the Week. Eli arrives at school each day and greets his peers and teachers with a welcoming smile. He is observant and curious about the world around him and notices small details that many other students overlook. He's a pleasure to have in the classroom and has come such a long way! Way to go Eli! Keep up the great work!
(School District)
I want to give a shout out to our student Cam. After a long stretch of chronic truancy at school and initially when he started here, he had perfect attendance in April and on his way to that in May as well!
(School District)
Claire is doing AWESOME, she has her diverse license, works two jobs, she is accepted to start Challenge Academy in January and then UW River Falls will take her at 17 and she can live in the dorms next fall! She is also thinking about going to Germany as an exchange student through UW River Falls. Her behavior has been so easy to manage. Thank you to your team, I truly feel your team really helped her
(Parent)
When I attended NWJ, it was difficult at first. I thought everyone didn’t like me, but the more I was there, I learned I was wrong. It was just that everyone was there for a reason, so it was not that everyone didn’t like each other, they just had their own thing going on. The more I attended NWj, everyone there seemed like my own second family that I could trust. The staff there are very helpful. They helped me through a lot of stuff. The staff helped me when I wanted to end my own life. They made a real difference
(Past Client)
When I first started day treatment I thought it was going to be the worst place on earth and that I was going to absolutely hate it. After a while of going, it was the exact opposite. Mentors actually helped and cared and genuinely wanted to make us become better people. It was like having a second family that understood a little better and did not judge you for your mistakes. Before I knew it, I loved going and was not miserable. I felt safe and was able to talk about things I was always afraid to share
(Past Client)
What on earth have you done to my daughter? It’s like a light switch flipped this last month. The aggression is gone. She has been accepting redirection. She has been appropriately saying what she needs or feels instead of yelling and screaming. School said the same thing. She has been going out to recess, reintegrating into her mainstream classes and was advocating for her classmates in her social skills group. It’s so awesome to see her be successful.
(Parent)
His school cannot believe the change they have seen in him. He had a moment that he was upset last week and he was able to regulate himself in the regular classroom. This would have been a full on meltdown that would have usually ended in him having to go home. I am in disbelief how Northwest Journey has helped him.
(Parent)
I will say, they are doing the BEST they have EVER done and I contribute that to all the wonderful work you all have done with them! They are responding….it might be slow, and they continue to have their issues, but they are responding and making some changes. So, give yourselves all (lots) of pats on the back!
J - (Social Worker)
Thank you guys for everything. You really helped me to change my life. As you know before I came to journey. I was lost, and going down the wrong path. I had a terrible relationship with my sister & niece. I was an emotional wreck, and on the edge of giving up and giving up hope on life. I couldn't see the good things in life, because I was too busy looking at the wrong in life. I had no idea of how to cope positively, I was a mess. I was pretending to be somebody I wasn't, because I didn't know who I really was. Journey showed me how to open my eyes, and find who I really was, to see the good things in life; instead of focusing on the wrong all the time. Journey taught me how to cope, without hurting myself, or hurting others. It opened my eyes to things I never thought would be possible again. Journey taught me things I've been trying to do for 3 years now, but couldn't without the support and consistency Journey provided. Journey helped me to find the person I really am, helped me to come out of the shell I'd been hiding in for years, and improved my relationship with my sister; especially considering I am able to cope a lot better as of now. I am so grateful for all of the things Journey has taught me, and all the time spent. I am grateful for the care & support staff has given to me. It’s amazing to see how when I struggled, nobody there gave up on me. Instead you believed in me and helped me to change it around. Journey has been the best thing that has happened in my life and I thank ALL of you so much, I can’t even thank you enough for what you have done for me.
(Past Client)
I don't know if you remember me I was in the journey program a few years ago. I just wanted to say that the program really helped me looking back. I fought it so hard while I was there but I’m very grateful that I got help. Some of your words still play in my mind. “Your vibe attracts your tribe” I thought you were dumb but it sure does. I’ve become more positive and optimistic and the people around me are similar. But when I was depressed and gave off that vibe I only had friends and people who were feeling that way as well. “You need to worry about Joanne and not everyone else” I sure did. Working about making myself happy more than making everyone else happy has made my life so much more enjoyable. Of course I still help people as much as I can but I’ve learned to have the confidence to say that I can’t and need to focus on myself. I’ve learned that life sucks it’s as simple as that but you have to look for the beauty and appreciate it and the more you stay positive the more beauty you realize and appreciate. It really is all about your mindset. Life is about getting up and continuing even if all you can do that day is eat but I’m proud to say I’ve gotten a job and am making my way into adulthood nicely. Thank you for everything you did for me in the 9 months I was there. It helped exponentially in the long run.
(Past Client)
Her dad said, “what on earth have you done to my daughter?” He said it’s like a light switch flipped this last month. He said the aggression is gone. She has been accepting redirection. She has been appropriately saying what she needs or feels instead of yelling and screaming. He said he just can’t believe it. School said the same thing. She has been going out to recess, reintegrating into her mainstream classes and was advocating for her classmates in her social skills group. Her meeting got me a little misty eyed actually. I’ve always dreaded her meetings because it felt like we just weren’t making any progress. It’s so awesome to see her be successful.
(Past Client)
I just wanted to email you to thank you. You made such a big difference in my life in a time when I didn't have anyone and I truly didn't believe it could get better. I was at a place for a long time where I felt completely hopeless and alone and you played such a major role in changing that for me. I learned that sometimes it does have to get worse before it gets better and that some of the activities I thought were kind of dumb really weren't. As it turns out, you were right... you can't have a good day when you play sad music all of the time... I'm graduating in two weeks, and I've just been thinking a lot about everything that got me to the place I'm in now and I could never express how much you changed my life and how grateful I am for you and your work.
(Past Client)
I have a happy update today - James will start transitioning back to school next week. He will attend full days on Tuesday and Thursday. He will be with us Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Assuming that transition goes well, we will choose a discharge date at the next Mteam. His school cannot believe the change they have seen in him. He had a moment that he was upset last week and he was able to regulate himself in the regular classroom. They said this would have been a full-on meltdown that would have usually ended in him having to go home. Mom said she is in disbelief how this has helped him so quickly at home. She reports no concerns any longer.
(Past Client)
My name is Elizabeth I am a past client at northwest journey! I am currently 20 years old married to the love of my life, and we are expecting our first daughter in March! We couldn’t be any happier. I attended Northwest when I was 17 so 3 years ago, I was in the program for 6 months. During my life I’ve dealt with depression and anxiety. I’ll be honest high school was very rough for me. I am so blessed northwest journey found me, I wouldn’t be the person who I am today if it weren’t for them. While being at northwest I learned that life is beautiful and live every day to the fullest. How do I cope with my anxiety? First of all, I stop whatever I am doing close my eyes breath in and out and smile!! While at Northwest I dealt with really bad panic attacks, this was my biggest problem they used to happen every day. During my stay they helped me so much to stop having them. It took a while but I haven’t had one in 3 years! Since my journey I have changed so much but in a good way. I’ll be turning 21 next month, I am so beyond proud of myself. If you are a client reading this, please know you are strong, you can achieve anything in your life as long as you put your mind to It. You got this I believe in you.
(Past Client)
Emily is doing AWESOME by the way, she has her driver’s license, works two jobs (Tundra Lodge as a lifeguard and the farm), she is accepted to start Challenge Academy in January and then UW River Falls will take her at 17 and she can live in the dorms next fall! She is also thinking about going to Germany as an exchange student through UW River Falls. Her behavior has been so easy to manage. Thank you to your team, I truly feel your team really helped her.
(Past Client)
I just got off the phone with Sam’s mom who wanted to let us know the improvements she has been seeing at home with him. She said he has been using his words rather than having outbursts when trying to express frustrations. She also has been surprised/excited that he has been doing well on transportation (overall), as she had anxiety about him being a city away for the whole day, and has gotten into quite a bit of trouble in the past on buses. She said she has actually gotten a part time job because she feels comfortable leaving the house and not being “on call” for him, like she was at school. Sounds like growth for both Sam and for mom! So, she wanted to let us know that he is using skills he is learning here, at home, and she’s really proud of him. Just a reminder that we may not always see the changes, but others can and do.
(Past Client)
Last year, My 11 year old son was having troubles during the last few months of the school year. Multiple suspensions, calls home daily, reports to social services... I was at a loss for what to do to help him. I wanted him to be prepared for the new upcoming school year after summer. I didn't want him starting his new school year as a 5th grader, in the same way this one was ending. I had heard of Journey from a neighbor friend whose son was already attending, due to similar circumstances. When your child is struggling in public schooling it can be extremely exhausting as a parent when you do everything you can think of but nothing works. I had decided to call & meet with Journey about my son's enrollment. I enrolled my son @ the beginning of summer, 2024, with hopes he would be able to return to school, prepared for 5th grade. My son had lost his grandfather, and shortly following that loss, his father went to jail.. & these events gave my son a lot of big feelings. My son was offered counseling, therapy, lessons on how to cope & lessons on how to deal with anger.....all while staying in a school like setting! Journey helped my son learn ways to manage those big feelings, & how to talk it out instead of resorting to aggression. My son attended the Journey program over the summer months & a few months into this school year.. he was ready to start transitioning back to school in October 2024 & is now fully transitioned back into public schooling as of December 1st. He has only had one call home since his full transition back, showing Journey helped him to sort out what he was going through & helped teach him better ways to handle those big feelings in a public setting. There aren't many options in our town for parents whose children are struggling in public school. & sometimes out-patient counseling just isn't enough. Journey offered a safe place for my child to express those big feelings while also learning the acceptable way to do so. My son was also offered after-care, such as counseling, after he completed the program. He was happy to know he could continue his counseling with a staff from the program as he had grown comfortable with them over the last few months. I am very grateful for the staff at Journey helping my son while he was struggling.
(Past Client)
I would like to again share our thanks for all the tools you taught Evan. He has been coming full days for a month and is doing awesome. His data shows over 90% of the time he is meeting his daily behavior goal. Even when he struggles he is using his regulation tools and is communicating his needs so he can return to class after a short period of time. We appreciate all you have done for him so he can now focus on learning. With regard to his learning he is making huge gains in reading and is almost at grade level performance in math. It is so fun to watch him learn and be proud of himself.
(Past Client)
They were a God send for my son. I don't have enough words for the miracle they performed. His life depended on it. They held our hands and tears with the utmost compassion care and professionalism. And in 6-7 months my son was transformed with amazing healing. I will always be forever grateful.
(Past Client)
I really couldn’t speak highly enough about the services provided by NWJourney. My son and myself had reached a point where we thought we had exhausted all options for help. I was desperate. I happen to come across information while just randomly searching online for probably the 867th time. Somehow, someway, my son had some sort of epiphany during his time with NWJourney. He did something of a complete 180 and we were all just shocked. I still am a little bit. He went from begging to stay in the program, to begging to be able to be back in school fulltime. He is back into sports. He has a new found way of communicating his thoughts and feelings to others. He found trust in the staff and was able to open up. They helped him, and myself, through some very tough times. He earned respect from both the staff and his peers. I feel he is finding his place in the world again, and it brings me to tears to think about where we might be if we wouldn’t have found the caring, loving, understanding, and educated staff at Northwest Journey. There is no possible way I could thank each of them enough for the time they put into helping my son. For that, I will be forever grateful.
(Past Client)
Jackson has been doing absolutely phenomenal. I couldn’t be any prouder of him! He also was recently nominated as student of the month for Nov for empathy. They said that he has been cashing in his earnings for other students, he's been helping kids who have been struggling with emotions, etc. He has come so far and I couldn't be happier. I truly thank all of you so much for being so patient with him and understanding. This program has helped him mentally and emotionally in many ways.
(Past Client)
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