Coach Kathy Reese

e-mail address: kathy@abundantlifeacademy.com

Office 909-338-2220, Cell 909-731-1874

Kathy Reese, Parent Coach I am a 61-year-old grandmother raising my grandson, Austin, now seventeen years old. My husband and I have had custody of him since he was seven. His mother, my daughter, was heavily into drugs and alcohol at the time, and Austin was being ignored and neglected, and was developing negative behavior patterns that were a real concern for us. As a result, we felt we needed to intervene in his life and make a difference for him, with God’s help.

Like all parents who eventually choose to place their child at Abundant Life Academy, we reached a point with Austin where we were ineffective and ran out of options. We turned to ALA for the help we weren’t able to provide, although we tried our hardest. Over the months at ALA, we saw progressive positive changes, and were very encouraged by what we saw and experienced. I felt, and Austin confirmed, that we saved his life by placing him in their care. He has recently graduated from the program and also completed high school while he was there. He’s now looking forward to a very positive future which includes attending a great Christian university in the fall. How could I possibly repay ALA for how they were able to help Austin?

My opportunity came when the prior Parent Coach wasn’t able to continue with the job because she had another full-time job to do. With timing that only God can orchestrate, I became the new Parent Coach and feel God’s leadership as I try to share with other parents my concern, care, and prior experiences. Only a person who has had a child in the program can relate on the type of level that truly understands the parents’ position and the unique mental and emotional challenges that develop. I feel my background as a licensed marriage and family therapist also brings some important knowledge and experience to the position.

I’m looking forward getting to know each of you and to encourage and assist your development as parents while our kids are meeting and rising above the challenges placed before them at ALA. My prayer is that God will honor us all in this process.