Content Warning: Mentions of suicidal ideation and behavior

Before Tori became the youth speaker at our Inaugural Central Region Golf Tournament, she was navigating a difficult path. When she first came to Valley Youth House, she said she wasn’t expecting much. Having been in foster care for a while, she’d expressed seeing many caseworkers come and go. She figured her new Valley Youth House Life Skills Counselor would be just another temporary presence. 

Tori soon learned that Valley Youth House was different. The services offered to her went beyond the typical support she had received in the past. She began taking life skills classes, which she found to be both informative and fun. She learned practical skills like cooking, budgeting, completing job applications, opening a bank account, filling out a resume, and even how to change a tire. 

While those skills were useful, they weren’t what Tori said she needed most at the time. She was struggling, feeling scared and alone, and carrying a deep anger. She was battling grief, depression, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts. 

“I’m not going to lie, there were many dark times when I didn’t think I would make it,” Tori shares. But even when she felt like giving up on herself, Valley Youth House never gave up on her. 

In 2023, Tori reached a crisis point and decided to end her life, sitting on the side of an overpass. She called her Valley Youth House life skills counselor to say goodbye. Her counselor refused to let that be the end. She calmed Tori down, stayed with her, and constantly reminded her of her value and importance. 

Valley Youth House staff also visited Tori, bringing comfort and familiarity when she felt utterly alone. “Their presence gave me hope and reminded me that there were people who truly cared whether I lived or died,” Tori remembers. 

Beyond the emergencies, Valley Youth House provided meaningful everyday support. Tori could call her counselor just to talk, and they always made time for her. They helped her prepare for job interviews, process her day, and offered encouragement to keep moving forward. When Tori called to share good news, like getting a piece of advice that worked or successfully completing a difficult task, her team was there celebrating with her. 

“They made me feel seen and heard and their encouragement gave me the strength to push forward,” Tori says. It was in those consistent, caring conversations that she started to believe in herself again. “It wasn’t just about surviving anymore. It was about learning how to actually live!” 

Today, Tori is thriving. She’s in college pursuing a degree in social work and works as a direct support professional for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She’s now able to offer others the very same kind of support she received, with compassion, patience, and a belief in their worth.

What she says she appreciates most is that Valley Youth House didn’t just save her; our staff taught her how to help herself. Valley Youth House provided the tools, encouragement, and space to grow. “I came a long way and I am proud of who I am today thanks to VYH for helping me help myself!”