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Sonia found positive, female role model in ‘Mrs. Carolyn’

When social worker Carolyn Eberlein Clendenin recently celebrated her 25th anniversary at Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes & Family Ministries, a former resident, Sonia, provided the following testimony.

“When I was about 15, I was going through a difficult time in my life. I was young, rebellious and misunderstood. I lacked a positive, female role model until I met Carolyn Eberlein Clendenin.

I was angry with my dad because I felt it was his fault that my mother wasn't around. He was trying to be a good father, but he couldn’t understand me.

At mine and my dad’s first appointment with ‘Mrs. Carolyn’ at Children’s Homes, I was nervous about meeting her. I didn't know if she would understand me or my family situation, but she made me feel comfortable and at ease. She and my dad agreed that I should stay at the Gardendale, Alabama group home for awhile.

On the day that my dad dropped me off at the group home, Mrs. Carolyn came to the house to make sure that I got moved in and situated. She introduced me to Mrs. June, Mr. Woody and the girls already living there. It meant a lot to me that Mrs. Carolyn gave me her phone number and told me to call her for anything.

I grew and matured in many ways while I lived at the group home for about a year and a half. Mrs. Carolyn would always check in on me to make sure everything was going smoothly.

I admire and respect Mrs. Carolyn more that she probably knows. She taught me how to be more patient and understanding. There’s no telling where my life would have gone if my dad and I had not met with her that first time.

I have returned to live with my dad, and we are maintaining a good relationship. I am planning to go to college next summer after my senior year of high school. Things are really better for me now, and I owe it all to Alabama Baptist Children's Homes and Mrs. Carolyn. She will always be a part of my family.

Keep up the good work, Mrs. Carolyn!”

- Sonia, 18

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