When Tyler first arrived at Ozanam after spending time at another treatment facility, he was only 12 years old. He felt confused, angry and depressed. Previously, doctors had diagnosed him with multiple disorders and prescribed a number of different medications as a result.

"I always knew there was a cool, bright boy in there, but there were so many bad choices around him that it was hard for me to see the good sometimes," his mother, Lisa, explained. "The hardest part was signing him over to the court in order to get the help that he needed."

Unable to control his emotions, Tyler had been acting out in a variety of ways that worried his family and teachers. He had a history of stealing and found it difficult to control his anger. Although he was an intelligent boy, he struggled academically and began to isolate himself.

"I had a hard time getting along with people," Tyler said. "I was depressed, which probably had something to do with my dad leaving for Iraq. I was giving up on school and didn't really care about anything."

As a first step in his treatment at Ozanam, the psychiatrist decided to reduce his medication. Amazingly, a single prescription worked best to relieve many of his symptoms. Staff members met regularly to discuss Tyler's goals, and they worked together with his family as a team.

"After I became adjusted to the routine, I knew what the rules and expectations were for me," Tyler said. "The turning point was probably when I realized that I wanted to earn privileges. Life was good when I followed the rules!"

He even started to succeed in school after his teachers encouraged him to use a study booth to eliminate distractions. Moreover, his therapist, Tom Osterhaus, realized that Tyler had a special ability to assemble anything from electronics to origami. Tom encouraged the boy to build upon his strengths in a way that would later inspire his future career.

Tyler's progress at Ozanam became evident as he learned to communicate his feelings. He found that he could make friends and trust people. Eventually, Tyler returned home and continued to work with his same therapist in Ozanam's Family Focus program for another few months.

Since then, he has grown up to be an upstanding young man. Last year, he graduated from Oak Park High School where he was a member of the swim team. To prepare for his future, he recently enlisted in the armed services. This spring he plans to travel to Maryland to join the Merchant Marine Academy, where he dreams of using his talents to help build engines on ships.

Before leaving town, Tyler and his mother toured the campus once again. They were excited to thank the people who believed in him and helped him make the changes necessary for his current achievements.

"He is night and day from what he was, and the change is unbelievable," his mother exclaimed. "Before it seemed like he had no emotion, but now he is honest, compassionate and giving. I respect who he is now, and he's going to have a bright future!"

Tyler understands some of the challenges that current residents at Ozanam continue to face, and he hopes that these children learn to find success as he did.

"It's hard because the majority of kids here might not have families like I had to work toward going home," he said. "They have to work even harder. If they can find out what it is that they want, then they should work toward it."