Emma arrived at Mount Olivet Rolling Acres’ Youth Crisis Stabilization Home on a quiet afternoon in May. She carried no luggage, only the clothes she wore after three long months living in a hospital emergency room.

No child should ever call an ER home. For Emma, it had been a place of sterile walls, sleepless nights, and questions that rarely had answers.

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But at MORA, something felt different.

Her new room was the first surprise. It wasn’t just assigned to her; it was hers. Staff had decorated the
space with colorful blankets, cheerful posters, and encouraging messages. It felt warm and safe, like a real bedroom.

Each day brought small moments of sunlight, both inside and out. Emma discovered how much she loved sitting on the patio, feeling the warmth on her skin and her toes tucked into the grass. Her favorite part of the week was going out for boba tea with the staff. Mango popping pearls. Laughter in the car. For the first time in a long time, she felt like a teenager again.

Healing, though, is never a straight line. Emma was working through deep trauma and complex mental health challenges. There were hard days and heavy ones. But this time, she wasn’t alone. The staff at the house were there for her around the clock, each one specially trained to support and care for youth with needs like hers.

After several weeks of therapy, Emma began to open up to the therapist MORA had brought i specifically for youth in crisis. Together, they worked on coping strategies for when her emotions felt overwhelming. Slowly, trust began to take root. The nurse at her home also became a steady presence, guiding her through medication management and offering gentle wisdom during quiet conversations.

Then came something unexpected: hope.

Emma began waking up with a new feeling— curiosity about the day ahead. She wondered what she might create, where she might go, and what conversations she might share with staff. Arts and crafts quickly became her favorite activity. She filled canvas after canvas with bright colors and emotion, transforming her room into a living reflection of her journey. As her bonds with staff deepened, she began painting gifts for them, her face lighting up with pride each time she handed one over.

Emma still faces challenges, but now she sees a future she never thought possible. A future filled with healthy relationships, community, and the chance to live the life she once only imagined.

None of it would have been possible without MORA.

Right now, hundreds of children are still waiting for the care, connection, and hope that Emma has found. Mount Olivet Rolling Acres is committed to answering that call by opening two new Youth Crisis Stabilization Homes in 2026.

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