Gregg came to the Orchard Place Residential Campus in 1978 and resided in Kenyon House. At the time, Gregg and his brother were living with their mother, who often felt like the world was against her. She struggled to make ends meet and faced certain challenges, which eventually led to the system removing both boys from her care.
Gregg remembers his mother frequently describing him and his brother as “incorrigible,” yet he recalls that neither of them had behavioral issues at school. When Gregg arrived at Orchard Place, he quickly formed strong connections with unit staff and his therapist. Those relationships stood out to him as a source of stability and encouragement during a time of uncertainty.
One of Gregg’s favorite memories involves conversations with a staff member about their future dreams. They would joke about being each other’s drivers when they were older. Gregg laughs now, sharing that neither of them drives for the other, but both have gone on to be successful and remain in touch to this day. He continues to stay in touch with a number of other members who worked at Kenyon House.
Gregg notes that his experience at Orchard Place looked different from many others. He did not struggle with behaviors or require medication management, yet he remained at Kenyon House for over a year. He remembers being sent to the timeout room once, though he cannot recall why. He also remembers the level system and being told repeatedly that there were no higher levels for him to reach because he was consistently doing what he needed to do.
As Gregg approached discharge, he recalls feeling deeply supported by the treatment team. It was clear to everyone at Orchard Place that reunification with his mother was not in his best interest. Gregg remembers his team, especially his therapist, advocating strongly to ensure he received the right care after leaving Orchard Place. Because of this advocacy, his stay was longer than expected, as there was not a foster family within the system that felt like the right fit for him.
While living at Orchard Place, Gregg attended Lincoln High School as a sophomore and participated on the Speech and Debate team. Reflecting on that time, Gregg says, “I found my foster family on my own.” After competing in the Optimist Club’s speech competition, he grew close to the person that ran the competition. After the contest ended, he was introduced to the organizer’s wife, and it soon became clear that the couple were exactly what Gregg needed. Despite the fact that they were not foster parents, Gregg was placed with their family, where he continued to thrive and succeed.
Today, Gregg is a lawyer. He shares that even while he was a resident at Orchard Place, he knew he wanted to pursue law. Because of this experience, he once believed he would become a lawyer specifically for troubled youth. While his path did not unfold exactly as he imagined, Gregg continues to practice law and support individuals who are still navigating and fighting the system.
Gregg’s story is a powerful reminder of how meaningful support at the right moment can change the trajectory of a young person’s life. While Orchard Place has grown and evolved since Gregg’s time in Kenyon House, the commitment remains the same: providing children with safety, encouragement, and advocates who believe in their potential. Every day, team members at Orchard Place continue this work – helping youth and families navigate challenges and discover hope for what comes next.
