Randall Cook has applied his vast experience, intensity and insight to Core Solutions and as a result has created an unrivaled value for Core’s client Programs and Schools, and their incredible parents. In the years since graduating an adolescent residential program himself, he went on to work in various capacities in the private youth placement arena. Now being the proud husband and father of a wonderful young family himself, he has found great purpose in serving other parents and their families.

Struggling teens are not a new phenomena. However, it seems to be happening more often that a mother stands out in front of their yard talking as their neighbor scratches their head and says “you sent him where…for what…wow, he always seemed like a nice kid, would come over and wash the dishes after he ate.” Needless to say, Randall had many surprised neighbors!

Upon graduation from his residential program, Randall soon became aware of the lack of options for involvement or information available to parents and extended family. He knew those families had a strong need for information and connection that was not being met. Private Schools and Programs accept the child for treatment and then return them after graduation. But in the meantime, what role do the parents play? Where do they deal with what has been handed to them? What do the parents learn during this process? How do they become aware of the changes they need to make in preparation for the return of their child? Randall recognized that while he was in treatment these questions were being answered on a daily basis for him personally. He had vast amounts of information consistently available to him, but his parents were left in the dark. As a result Randall has gone on to mentor numerous families, and their kids.

In sync with his passion and purpose, he continually seeks out solutions for families that will leave them in a better place and on a better path. Through technology Randall has created the finest available platform for a “virtual support group”. This is not only a vital lifeline for the schools and families that he has the privilege to serve, but also is very much self serving. It fulfills his personal mission to “pay it forward” in his ongoing support for the most “parenting inviting” Residential Treatment Centers, Private Boarding Schools, and Specialty Schools available today.

The results continue to be overwhelming, parents now have a “soft place to land”, in talking with other parents, staff and Alumni, after making the heart wrenching of needing to send their child to a youth program. They are now in an environment to gain confidence and awareness as to where they have sent their child. They will foresee the feelings of guilt, the burden they will experience, when the house finally becomes quiet. Through this service, the Mom on the front yard can now hold her chin up, and respond “well let me tell you what it was like after he came back home after washing your dishes…further let me tell you the tremendous growth and maturity he has gained…what a blessing that I found the school that I did.”

Glenda Gabriel is a strong advocate for parent's rights and the parent-choice industry. In addition to being the mother of a program graduate, she's worked for many years developing vital parent support services for structured residential boarding schools.

Having at one time experienced her own child’s self-destructive behavior, she knows first hand the horrific roller coaster of emotions parents go through; helplessness and the loss of hope, fueled by guilt, shame and isolation. No matter how supportive and caring their personal support system, no one really understands what they’re going through.

Driven by a passion to make a difference, and understanding these parents unique needs, Glenda went on to create and introduce many innovative solutions for the parent-choice industry, that work with at-risk youth and their families. The results gave a venue and voice for more parent involvement. These solutions met the parent’s need for support, ‘tightened ranks’ with their child’s program, and encouraged personal ownership so that the entire family was working towards growth and healing. She also started parent support groups organized for parents of at-risk kids who were needing and/or already in treatment. Those groups rapidly multiplied and spread across the country. Her willingness to share her experiences, reasons to hope, and being an advocate for personal ownership, quickly made her a sought after speaker by parent groups, volunteer and humanitarian organizations, PTAs and school faculties, and programs and schools associated with the parent-choice industry.

Glenda points out that everyone has a stake in turning around the lives of kids with out-of-control behavior. Everyone benefits by a willingness to be part of the solution to stop the destruction, because our youth, and their families, are the very heart and foundation of our country. Their success ripples out and benefits us all.