Travel and Community
One of our greatest joys during the year is taking many of the boys on trips. The boys are learn so much from these trips, even if the goal is to help a community overseas. One of our students, Nolan, reported his experience and how it affected him...
"Guatemala opened my eyes to a world that seemed forgotten. I was slapped in the face by the firm hand of reality. The one thing I saw least was hope. But God used our whole team to bring hope and joy to the kids at the orphanage.
I realized how selfish and ungrateful we can be -- how small our problems are to the rest of the world. O saw how spoiled rotten America is. When I got back to the states I was disgusted by all the senseless junk we have in our homes and stores. hearing people gripe about petty things made my stomach churn.
My experience in Guatemala was the final tool God used to change my outlook on life."
Small groups of students from our school go on trips. Often today's youth feel a sense of "entitlement" to all of the best life in America has to offer them materially. Boys get a first-hand look at poverty and hunger in less-advantaged countries; having opportunity on these excursions to help meet the needs for those in crisis.
Annual "tours" are taken to other states. The teen travels with staff members and sometimes with the teen's parents.
Learning by Teaching
As students succeed in the program, they are given the opportunity to become part of the drama travel teams and Stay Sharp school ministry team. Stay Sharp teams travel to public and private schools to present drug awareness programs. Recently our Stay Sharp team spoke to an audience of more than 3000 students in Oak Park River Forest High School in Chicago.
Advisors to Gateway
MILITARY COMPONENT
Col. John (Dianne) Lauten (ret.)
John is a retired Air Force Colonel (top gun fighter pilot in Operation Desert Storm). He continues to teach battle tactics for pilots at Eglin Air Force Base. John and Dianne have been leading the Boundaries Sessions each month for parents making their 2nd visit over the past two and half years. They use Jimmy and Karen Evans’ “Emotionally Healthy Marriage” DVD series and facilitate discussion following the three weekend sessions.
COUNSELING COMPONENT
DeAnna Hickenbotham, MHC, NCC, CSOTS
LMHC, Licensed Mental Health Counselor since 1993, NCC, National
Certified Counselor, CSOTS, Certified Sex Offender Treatment Specialist
Mrs. Hickenbotham is owner/Clinical Director of Pattison Professional Counseling Center. Licensed in Mental Health since 1993, she specializes in sexual abuse, trauma, depression, anxiety, stress reduction. DeAnna presently visits students each Friday, as parents have made formal request to counsel and assess progress.
BIBLICAL/PASTORAL COUNSELING COMPONENT
Phil (Vivian) Edwards, Assistant Superintendent West FL District AG
Senior Pastor First Assembly of God, Panama City, FL
Pastor Phil was a pioneer in the establishment of Gateway twelve years ago. He is not only a pastor to the ministry as a whole, but is a personal friend as well.
PARENT COMPONENT
Amy (Drew) Montgomery, Concord, NC
Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery have Air Force backgrounds. Amy works in a home-based business, while Drew is a Pro-guide for fishing. Amy and Drew’s son graduated from Gateway in 2007. He is presently enrolled in North Central University. Amy continues to attend Parent Visit Weekends and serves as facilitator and creator of “Media Boundaries,” one of our regular Boundaries Sessions.
MEDICAL CONSULTANT
Dr. Efren (Sonia) Carbonell, MD
Dr. Carbonell is acquainted with Gateway as his son, Emilio, was a 2008 graduate. (Emilio is presently a student at Southeastern University, Lakeland, FL.) Dr. Carbonell has made himself available to review blood test results for intake students, especially the Full Metabolic Panel. He works with our on-site RN, Kristina Thomas, and our medical coordinator to ensure proper practice and documentation, as well as ensuring a supply of medical emergency materials.
