WXOW News 19 La Crosse, WI – News, Weather and Sports |Healthy Transitions program gives teens direction
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LA CROSSE, Wisconsin (WXOW)---Shantel Petersen grew up in South Dakota...she was primarily raised by her father after her mother left. Years later, her father became a violent alcoholic.
Petersen says, "My dad was abusive to me and it happened. I couldn't do anything, I couldn't hide the bruises, so I ended up being put into foster care at midnight."
The bruises went away, but the memories of what happened did not. Shantel went from foster home to foster home.
Petersen says, "It's almost like you're a complete stranger when you move in with them. The rules, your bedtime, and all of that."
She was trying to find herself, a family, and a place to finally call home. She eventually ended up in Holmen after her great aunt agreed to take her in. She lived with her for six years.
Petersen says, "I love her to death. She knows it. I know she loves me because she took me in and is dealing with me."
Life for Shantel hasn't been easy. The memories of her childhood stay with her everyday.
Jordann Ojanpa asks, "Is it hard to forgive and forget what happened?" Petersen says, "It is to a point but I will forgive him because he's the only parent who stayed in contact with me. My mom didn't want anything to do with me."
Now 18 years old, Shantel is on her own. She is a high school graduate with two jobs and her own apartment. The Family and Children Center's Healthy Transitions Program is helping Shantel move forward by giving her the tools to manage her money, her education, and her future.
Shantel hopes to go to the Salon Professional Academy in Onalaska and become a cosmotologist...all opportunities she may have missed if it wouldn't have been for the generosity of others.
If you're interested in learning more about the Healthy Transitions program or would like to make a donation you can call 608-785-0001 ext. 235 or head to their website www.fcconline.org
---Jordann Ojanpa, Reporter
