President's Letter

DEAR FRIENDS
OF PRESSLEY RIDGE :

One of Pressley Ridge's greatest success stories is that of Joe Flowers.

Adopted as an infant, Joe displayed troubling behaviors and developmental delays almost from the get-go. He was in and out of different institutions through much of his childhood. More than one treatment professional suggested to his mother, Donna, that she institutionalize him and walk away.

She didn't.

Instead she found Pressley Ridge, and Joe was placed in a multiple diagnosis classroom in our PR Day School in Pittsburgh. Three years later he was back in public high school, elected homecoming king and graduated. Today, he's a business recovery administrator at the BNY Mellon.

What happened to Joe is nothing short of miraculous. Through the hard work of his mother, the Pressley Ridge team, and Joe himself, his life was transformed in ways few could have imagined. What I love about Joe's story is how it illustrates the everyday miracles we strive for at Pressley Ridge.

No child is beyond hope or beyond help. We hold fast to the belief that troubled young lives can be molded in positive ways using the principles of Re-Education. For some folks, stories like Joe's are proof enough that what we do at Pressley Ridge works. Others need hard data. For those who prefer the latter, I am proud to point to our reaccreditation by the Council on Accreditation.

Every four years we voluntarily undergo a rigorous review of our operations and services. COA measures both against national standards, standards that emphasize services that are accessible, appropriate, and outcomes-oriented. Pressley Ridge was awarded reaccreditation in a record 23 days with NOT ONE out-of-compliance rating in any of the fundamental practice standards. The COA reviewers declared Pressley Ridge a "model agency".

Pressley Ridge strives for constant improvements so we continue to be one of the most effective organizations of our kind. So long as we work together and retain our values, Pressley Ridge will continue to mold the lives of children and families in positive ways for years to come.

B. Scott Finnell, Ph.D., LCSW
President and Chief Executive Officer