I believe that all children deserve to know the happiness of a loving family throughout the year. Auberle helped to make that possible in my own home and for thousands of other children and families. In 2010, we welcomed Jacquet into our home through the Foster Care Program at Auberle. He was a physically and emotionally abused four -year- old boy who desperately needed love and security. Auberle’s foster care staff trained us to take on this very important role in Jacquet’s life and provided us with 24 hour support. We always hoped to make Jacquet a permanent part of our home, and in July of 2012, we officially adopted him. I know that it means a great deal to Jacquet to be a part of our family, but I feel we are the ones blessed by his presence in our lives. Jacquet will be waking up with us on Christmas morning because of Auberle and that is something I am truly grateful for this holiday season.
Sincerely,
Lisette Pilston
I volunteered for the Voices Carry event in Sep. 2011. I helped setup for the event, handed out parking passes, performed social media updates, and helped tear down. They were well organized and had a clear idea of what they wanted their volunteers to do. We got fed and got to enjoy the music. Overall it was a great experience.
This organization is top heavy there are a lot of duplicate positons that can be eliminated, this way the organization would be more cost effective. Nepotism runs rampant in this organization, Administrators directly supervise relatives and spouses. The majority of the clientele is of African American desent, but African Americans are not in the top decsion making postions in the organization. This organization does not live up to its mission statement " To strengthen families".
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I was a child who had the misfortune of ending up at Auberle. I was abused at home by my stepdad and ended up going to a hospital and my parents wouldn't let me come home. So after my mom and stepdad kept trying to get me stuck somewhere and the group homes foster parents, etc kept sending me home Auberle kept me and wouldn't let me leave. I don't understand how this place is able to get away with the horrible abuse they inflict on innocent children! Whats worse is that many of these children come from abusive situations and get even worse abuse, physically and mentally at Auberle! I am now 33 years old and still want to cry whenever I think of this place. I have never healed! I only pushed the wasted, tormented years of my youth far far back in my mind where I try to not think and feel. Auberle stole my childhood! They hurt me in more ways than I can even explain! This is why I hurt everyday! This is why I haven't cried since the day I turned 18 and was legally allowed to leave that hell!
I am a active volunteer and a mentor. It is an amazing experience to open a child's eyes to what they CAN do and thought they couldn't. I engage the 7-14 year old boys in educational games each week - they have fun and learn at the same time. The Annual Spelling Bee allows the boys to participate at their learning level. It is heartfelt to see the way they cheer for each other - even if one boy has to spell "audacious" and another "zoo." Mentoring is a very special thing to be able to do - having a child learn to trust that you come to see him not because you are paid but because you want to. The staff I work with supports and welcomes our volunteer activities - there is always something to do.
I have been a mentor at Auberle for over 2 years now. I am currently mentoring my second little boy and enjoy every minute of the time I spend with him. Do I see a difference in him since we began-most certainly! He has had some very special achievements scholastically and personally and I feel blessed to be able to share these times with him. Sometimes we go out and do special things together but his favorite thing of all is just to come to our home and spend time doing typical family things, we watch tv, we read together, we bike sometimes and to me the best time is making him dinner and watching him savor every bite. This volunteer opportunity has brought such joy to my life and I have met many people that I consider to be some of my closet friends now, it has been a very positive experience, one I would encourage others to take part in.
Auberle is a wonderful organization that not only impacts the lives of it's children, but also of the adults who volunteer there. In my short time working with the kids at Auberle, I've met men and women who have a passion for making a difference. The kids are so wonderful and open to interaction and learning that no matter what kind of day you are having, it gets better once you are there. I think the best way to sum up Auberle is that it gives kids a chance when most think they are out of them.
I am a mentor at Auberle and have found this experience to be very rewarding. These are some special kids who value one-on-one time and time off grounds. The Volunteer Coordinator has been absolutely fantastic to work with and has been incredibly supportive throughout the whole process.
Auberle is an excellent example of a nonprofit organization that utilizes all of their resources in the best way possible. I am a member of the development board and the events committee. The strategic plan is the best I have ever seen and is being utilized on an ongoing basis. The people at Auberle, both paid and volunteer, are very dedicated and it shows in the results they see with the children. I have chaired the "All- Star Banquet " for the last 2 years. At the banquet we honor the children for their accomplishments during the past year. This event is a wonderful opportunity to see the children shine. I feel so lucky to be able to help in any way I can.