[LETTER]

To all of the staff, teachers and everyone else at Trapper Creek Job Corps; this is a special THANK YOU and a very special Merry Christmas wish for all of you.

My name is Diane and my son entered Trapper Creek Job Corps in September 2012. I had to write this letter to send my gratitude to you, for giving me back my son. In the 8th & 9th grade my son was bullied badly; leaving him with bruises on the outside and scars on the inside that left him virtually living as a recluse over the last 4 years.

He never went out with friends and no one called him asking him to do things. He mostly stayed with me 24/7 except for school, his grandparents home, or living on his laptop.

I was so scared about him going to Job Corps; afraid he wouldn’t want to stay and afraid that he would never again feel like he belonged. Since he has been there, all of his phone calls home have been happy; I hear a confidence in his voice which I haven’t heard in years.

You gave me my son back! He sounds like he is supposed to, like a happy teenager.

You gave my son his life back as well and in the process have made me the happiest mom ever.

I’ve been a single mom of three sons for a long time and my youngest son, your student, has been through more things then he should have over these last 4 years. He lost a close friend to suicide and another friend died in a skiing accident; the bullying was just one more thing that added to an already difficult time!

Today, there is life in him again and a light that I thought might be gone forever.

So, from the deepest part of my heart, I want to thank you for being there for my son. Thank you for teaching him so much; I think you’re all AMAZING PEOPLE!!!

I want to wish you all a Merry Christmas; safe and full of nothing but all the Love, Peace, and Happiness this season brings. I need you all to know, I don’t think my son would have ever fully returned to me if it wasn’t for Trapper Creek Job Corps.

Also, to whoever initiated the Job Corps program, I want to express my deepest THANKS. With all the horrible things happening in our world today, it is so wonderful to know there are still good places like Trapper Creek, with good people that care for our children. You give them a future to look forward too and teach them that they can accomplish something to be proud of, something of importance.

So again, with all of my heart, please accept my DEEPEST THANKS!!!! Please keep doing what you are doing; our country should be so proud of the Job Corps program.

I don’t have much materially speaking, but I can tell you, if ever I hit the lottery or anything like that, I would donate money to repay what you have given me…you have given me back my son and that is priceless!!

For whoever is in charge of Trapper Creek Job Corps – you have the MOST AWESOME PEOPLE working for you and I really think you needed to know this….Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of you!!!! May GOD BLESS you and keep you and your families’ safe and happy…..

Sincerely,
Diane Skrypek
(a very GRATEFUL & HAPPY Mom)
December 2012