Giving Grant a chance to a successful life

10/3/24- Update: From the Ader Family

We are so excited to share an update on Grant’s progress! This summer, we had the incredible blessing of having him home for five days during his first home visit, and it felt like we were with a different kid than the one who left over a year ago. While the visit was not free of struggle, we were able to do things together as a family, such as eating a meal together, going to the movies, and just riding in the same car without fighting, aggression, and fear for the first time EVER. Grant did make a bad choice one night, but then he completely owned up to his behavior and had a desire to make it right. He has truly grown in so many ways and the work he’s doing at the ranch is making a significant difference in his life.

In addition to the therapy he’s receiving at the ranch, he is gaining many real life skills that will help him be successful as an adult. Over the summer, he helped build a barn from the bottom up that’s being turned into a wedding venue. He’s learned to run a ranch, bale hay, dig trenches, cut wood, and take care of livestock. He’s running up to 6 miles a day, and is in the best shape of his life. He is a helpful member of the whole with the other boys, working to keep the house clean and complete his chores. Seeing him in action this summer and hearing about his progress each week during our quick Facetime calls, keeps us motivated to do whatever it takes to continue his time in Montana until he’s completed the program and ready to come home.

Grant is now back in school for his Junior year and thriving—he’s a straight-A student! His dedication and hard work have truly paid off. He often talks about being bored in school because he learns new concepts so quickly. This is not new for him, but what is new is the fact that he is accepting the boredom and shrugging it off instead of wreaking havoc and refusing to go to school. We also heard from a woman who saw him and the other boys from his program at a rodeo in Montana. She posted how they were goofing around and having fun, but when they heard the National Anthem, they immediately stopped and placed their hands over their hearts in respect. It was a beautiful moment that made its way back to us and filled us with gratitude for the man Grant is becoming.

He’s currently on track to potentially graduate from his program in January, which would allow him to return home for the 2nd half of his junior year and later graduate as a proud Ferris Saxon! This program has been life-changing, but the cost is high—$5,000 a month. We still need $20,000 to get through this final stretch of the semester. If you can support us financially, it would mean the world to us. And even more importantly, please keep Grant and our family in your prayers as we navigate this next chapter.

Thank you all for your continued love, support, and prayers! We couldn’t do this without you.

With gratitude,

Joe and Heather

Joe and Heather Update: From The Ader Family

Last month we visited our 15 year old son, Grant, for the first time since mid July and we wanted to give you an update and ask for your continued prayer and financial support. For those of you who have supported us, you know that the past few years have been incredibly difficult. For those of you who are new to this, our son Grant became increasingly aggressive and violent over the last 2 years, and we were unable to care for him ourselves. (You can see the message we wrote in June at the gofundme link below.) Over the summer we made the incredibly difficult decision to enroll him into a therapeutic boarding school in Montana.

I am thrilled to say that during our weekend visit we were amazed at his progress. We were able to spend nearly 20 hours with him, including an overnight stay in a local hotel. It was honestly the most pleasant time we have had together as a family in years. The anger, aggression and demanding behavior was no longer there. He was helpful and pleasant and even got along with his little brother the entire time. Prior to him going to Montana, we could not even ride in the car together without a fight breaking out, so for us to spend that much time together without fighting or violent outbursts was amazing!

We were able to visit the ranch where Grant lives and see the cows and goats that he helps care for. Also, we got to visit the beautiful sights around Thompson Falls. Grant was excited to be our tour guide, and the pride he has in himself for the responsibility he has taken on at the ranch was evident. Before the ranch, he only saw himself as lazy and incapable of taking care of anything. He is now beginning to realize his worth and see himself as capable of success. The visit reaffirmed that we made the right choice by sending him there.

Grant continues to have behavioral challenges, but major progress has been made. He will likely be in the program at least through the end of next summer. The program is doing amazing things to help him. However, it is quite expensive. Although we have been able to work out a discount to $5,000 per month, that is still very expensive for us. We humbly ask you to consider making a financial gift to help us through this season of getting him the help he needs to live a healthy, productive life. Please feel free to give through Go-Fund-Me, Venmo, or make a tax deductible donation through the ranch’s foundation.

Go-Fund-Me Link

Fundraiser for Heather Ader by Marlina Masterjohn : Look at this post on Facebook https://www.gofundme.com/f/giving-grant-a-chance-to-successful-life

Heather’s Venmo

@Heather-Ader last 4 digits of my phone number 9422

Tax Deductible Donation

Please reach out to us at [e-mail editado] for the needed paperwork and instructions.

Thank you so much for your prayers and support.

Joe and Heather Ader

Some Recent photos from the Ader's visit with Grant!

Hi, My name is Marlina and I have been blessed to get to know this wonderful family. I have seen this family give so much to our community and well now is the time for us to help them. The Ader family's oldest son has been struggling with autism, behavioral and mental illness and they have hit a wall with treatment to help their son to be successful in life. Please read their story and if you can help us get Grant the support he needs, please donate, share and help us send those encouraging words that are needed in times like these. Thank you all!

A Message from the Ader Family:

Dear Friends, Family, and Kind-hearted Supporters,

We are reaching out to you today with heavy hearts but also a glimmer of hope for our 15-year-old son, Grant. As concerned parents, we have exhausted all available resources in our local area to address his anger management, mental health issues, and increasing violence towards us at home. We have come to the difficult decision that he requires intensive professional help.

We are seeking your generous support to send him to a residential therapy program in Montana, where he can receive the specialized care and guidance he desperately needs.

The Challenge: Grant has been grappling with mental health and anger management issues for some time now, and we have witnessed the toll it has taken on his well-being, relationships, and overall quality of life. Despite our best efforts, we recognize that his needs surpass what we can provide on our own. The residential therapy program in Montana has a proven track record of success in helping teenagers like Grant develop healthier coping mechanisms and regain

control over their emotions.

The Solution: The residential therapy program offers a comprehensive approach, combining individual counseling, group therapy, experiential activities, and educational support. This immersive environment will provide Grant with the tools necessary to manage his anger and develop life skills needed to be a successful citizen. The program's highly skilled professionals will work closely with him to address the underlying causes of his anger, helping him on his

journey towards a brighter and more fulfilling future.

Financial Need: While we are committed to doing everything in our power to give our son the help he needs, the cost of the residential therapy program is a significant burden for our family. The program requires a monthly fee of $5,200, which includes accommodation, therapy sessions, specialized activities, and academic support. Our hearts are heavy as we reach out for assistance, but we firmly believe that with the right treatment, Grant can break free from the destructive cycle of anger and reclaim his life.

How You Can Help: Your support, whether through a financial contribution or sharing our campaign, will make a profound difference in Grant's life. Here are the ways you can help us:

1. Donate: Any amount you can spare will bring us closer to our goal. No donation is too small, and every dollar counts in helping us reach the required funds to cover the program's monthly costs.

2. Share: Spread the word about our campaign by sharing it with your friends, family, and social networks. The more people who become aware of our situation, the greater our chances of reaching our target.

3. Words of Encouragement: Your emotional support means the world to us. We will communicate with him via writing letters weekly, and sharing your kind words with him will serve as a reminder that he is not alone on this journey.

We understand that times are tough for everyone, and any support you can provide is genuinely appreciated. Our ultimate goal is to give Grant the opportunity to grow, heal, and become the happy, confident young man we know he can be. With your compassion and generosity, we can help him build a brighter future and break free from the chains of anger and mental illness.

Thank you for taking the time to read our story and considering our plea for help. Together, we can make a positive impact in the life of a troubled teenager and give him the chance at a brighter tomorrow.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Joe and Heather Ader