A former resident’s gratitude for saving her childhood

When she was seven, Florence’s young life took a dramatic turn. Her mother had a stroke, and her family was evicted from their home. They were soon living out of a steamer trunk in a garage. Florence’s father realized he was unable to care for her. Out of desperation, he took her to be cared for by the state.

Florence became a ward of the state and eventually was sent to live at Pressley Ridge (then called the Protestant Home for Children). Florence considers living at the Home one of the best things that could have happened for her. She lived there from 1957 to 1964 and said, “I learned so many things that have helped me get through challenging times in my life.”

Florence feels that she benefited from the regular schedule and meals. “I learned how to clean and how to live responsibly,” she noted.”Because we were taught to be punctual, to this day, I am always on time!”

She also learned useful domestic skills. “I learned how to sew on a treadle machine,” Florence said,”and even how to darn socks, which seems to be a lost art.”

Florence and her siblings remember all of the extra treats they received while living at the Protestant Home. “I was really lucky,” she said.”We always had new clothes, holiday outfits, and lots of presents at Christmas. Every Saturday we’d get an envelope with our name on it and would go see a show.”

Although Florence has many fond remembrances of her youth, her childhood memories are bittersweet, of course, because of her family’s situation.

Florence knows that the days of Pressley Ridge as just a “home for children” have changed.”People who have everything may not understand that learning basic skills and teaching new behaviors helps kids for the rest of lives,” she said. “I’m just grateful that the agency is still there.”