But he has been expelled from two schools because of difficult behaviour. He is prone to tantrums and violent outbursts.

Kenny's mother lost custody after admitting to beating him with a golf club, as a result he went to live with his father. He rarely sees his siblings, who live with another relative.

Kenny was diagnosed with attention deficit disorder (ADD) and had other symptoms, including a sleep disturbance and disorientation.

When he first came to the Family Learning Centre, Kenny was violent and refused to follow directions. With a behaviour plan and practice Kenny is gradually learning to control his behaviour. His school reports are improving.

Through individual counselling, Kenny has explored his sadness and confusion regarding the abuse and he has stopped blaming himself. Kenny's father and two older siblings participate in family therapy, they are repairing their relationship and spending time together socially.

His case manager worked with a psychiatrist to reasess Kenny's symptoms and medication. As a result, he has begun taking a more effective treatment. Both his sleep disturbance and disorientation appear to have stopped.

Through psycho-educational testing at the Family Learning Centre, Kenny has discovered that his IQ is very high. As a result, Kenny has taken a fresh approach to his studies. With his new found self-esteem, Kenny believes that he has the potential to become a professional writer.

A week in the life of Kenny A typical week for Kenny at The Family Learning Centre Our van brings Kenny to the after-school programme each day.

We always give him a healthy snack when he arrives.

On Monday, Kenny gets individual help with his homework.

On Tuesday, Kenny's case manager goes to visit his school. In the afternoon Kenny attends an individual therapy session.

On Wednesday, Kenny's father attends our parent support group. Kenny does homework and has dinner with his brothers at TFLC.

On Thursday, Kenny goes to our community garden where he is growing vegetables and helping care for animals.

On Friday he attends a TFLC group where children learn alternatives to fighting.

Kenny rides home in the Centre's van each day.

Together these activities make a real difference in Kenny's life.

Kenny's name is fictional, but his life circumstances are not. The Family Learning Centre provides assistance which his family could not otherwise afford.