Joshua

Five-year-old Joshua came to The Shelter with his mother and his little sister after suffering domestic violence for several years. His father would constantly hit him, spit on him, and call him names.

When Joshua first came to The Shelter, he was very shy and preferred to play by himself. When his mother found a job, Joshua began attending The Shelter’s After School program, where he started spending time outdoors. He liked the playground and the Nature Explore Classroom. He also enjoyed taking nature walks, riding his bicycle, and playing sports.

Joshua was thrilled when he found out he would be going on a field trip to the Naples Botanical Garden. As the day approached, he could not stop talking about the trip and asking questions about the activities planned for that day. Once at the Botanical Garden, Joshua was elated. Full of excitement, he walked around the gardens taking in all the beauty and fresh air, fully enjoying his great adventure.

The visit was a healing experience for Joshua. Afterward, he seemed ‘lighter’ and very happy. He became more gregarious and was willing to engage his peers in play. He began to spend more time outdoors and gained greater self-confidence, which helped him increase his circle of friends. Once shy and lonely, Joshua found the trust and confidence to allow himself to be the confident, outgoing boy he had always been.