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He’s a boy:
- who is entering the 7th through 12th grade.
- who has consistently had problems in school. It has been proven that learning difficulties directly lead to behavioral problems; most of Hanna’s boys have been expelled from school, or have been close to it. Many boys entering Hanna suffer from ADHD.
- who has frequently had problems getting along with people—especially kids his own age.
- whose family is unable to function in a healthy, constructive way.
- labeled "pre-delinquent" because he seems to be on a "troubled" path. The Center attempts to change his course through early intervention, before serious problems occur.
- with problems, yes—but with the strength to commit himself to the Hanna program and its goals for one full school year.
Indeed, two critical ingredients in the program’s success is the motivation of the boy and the family’s willingness to work together with the youngster and the Hanna staff. A Hanna hallmark is the very fact that all of the boys are placed directly by their families or guardians, rather than by probation or social welfare departments. This fact gives Hanna staff the flexibility to respond to cases of critical need with little or no red tape. There have even been cases in which the boy himself picks up the phone to ask for help. It also means that the staff deals with boys and families who are ready and eager to change.
They hear about Hanna from our literature, teachers, social service organizations, probation departments, clergy, and former Hanna boys.
There are also incidents of boys putting pen to paper to ask for readmission after having been asked to leave because of unacceptable behavior. The boys are more committed the second time around, and there are many success stories because of this opportunity.
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