MercyFirst

I was here for 2 years from 2004 to 2006. I was 11 when I entered and 13 when I left. Although I can say there are some good memories from here I can say most of them are terrible. From being sexually assaulted by another resident to being slammed around by "crt" to the staff flat out lying to the courts and my family to make it seem like I needed to stay there for more treatment. What started as a "30 day diagnostic" turned into over 2 years of my life filled with trama. There were a few good folks there though, and the number one person who sticks out to me were the math teacher Mr.Oconner and my basket ball coach Kyle. I was on so many different medications I felt like a zombie. Im lucky to say im a very healthy and productive member of society but I can see how most of the kids who stayed here are not doing well these days.

When I First come to United State of America, my first stuff of my life was starting from this place mercy first. These people help me to make a big change in my life to be ready for the next step. I really miss this place. And I hope the people who help me see this message. Thank you very much.

I put my son here when he was 15 and he came back the same boy i used to know. He is 27 now, we moved out of NY right after his release. At 1st he ran away and came home to me but when i explained he would have to stay to get better he stood. Best thing i did for him. Idk about the reviews of abuse because my son never told me about any abuse and he was put here voluntarily by me and knew anything funny he would b taken out into another one. I also didnt give a chance of any negligence as i was there 4-5x a week. Every week! And spoke with him all day on the weekends. We did family counseling, went to every meeting and event and had a great rapport with each counselor and teacher/ and staff in contact with my son! When u don't play about urs...nobody else will!

Most likely the bad reviews are kids who didn't want to change or parents weren't on top of everything they needed to b on top of! If i leave my kid with you...you better watch my kid better than u watch urs and better than i watch mine! Period!

With my experience...i give mercy 1st a 9 out of 10! Only because it was so far but they even have accommodations for that!