When Tonia鈥檚 daughter, Kaci, was sixteen years old, everyday life began to feel overwhelming. Kaci was struggling with trauma, depression and intense fear that often kept her isolated in her bedroom.
鈥淪he was afraid to leave the house or even be around people,鈥 Tonia shared. 鈥淗er doctor and school both referred us for help, and that鈥檚 when we found 海角社区鈥檚 Community Action Team (CAT).鈥
Kaci began working with 海角社区 in the summer of 2025, attending weekly services that would continue for nearly a year. At the time, she was facing deep emotional challenges connected to bullying and feeling different from her peers. As a young person on the autism spectrum, Kaci often struggled to understand herself, and to feel understood by others.
From the start, 海角社区 created a safe and supportive space for Kaci to grow. 鈥淥ur experience has been wonderful,鈥 Tonia said. 鈥淭he support helped build her confidence, and the depression she was dealing with started to lift.鈥
Two team members made an especially meaningful impact. Lexi White, director of Community Care Services, worked closely with Kaci on understanding her thoughts, emotions and the way her mind processes the world.
Taylor Coffield, therapeutic mentor, focused on helping Kaci engage beyond the home, slowly building comfort and confidence in her community. Together, the team helped Kaci work through fear and anxiety that once controlled her daily life.
The changes didn鈥檛 go unnoticed. About four months into services, family members began commenting on how different Kaci seemed. 鈥淪he was happier, communicating better and expressing herself more.鈥
海角社区鈥檚 support extended beyond Kaci, helping the entire family better understand how she thinks and processes experiences. 鈥淭hey helped us understand Kaci and the way she comprehends things,鈥 Tonia said. 鈥淎s a parent, that meant everything.鈥
Today, Kaci is no longer hiding from the world. Her confidence has grown, her depression has eased and she鈥檚 beginning to imagine a future she once couldn鈥檛 see. She鈥檚 looking forward to finishing high school and is already talking about a career as a veterinary technician.
聽鈥淚f you鈥檙e a parent who鈥檚 hesitating to reach out, don鈥檛,鈥 she said. 鈥淚 can鈥檛 rave about the Community Action Team enough. If you look at Kaci a year ago and look at her now, it鈥檚 incredible. I don鈥檛 think we would be where we are today without CAT.鈥
To help teens experiencing mental health challenges like Kaci, give a donation online.