We transition troubled young adults experiencing a failure to launch into adulthood and independent living. We practice a different method than most programs for young adults in that we challenge our residents with real world situations on a working farm. We provide a home like environment and real work with real outcomes that gives our residents the opportunity to prove themselves. We provide an environment where it is safe to make mistakes, learn through experience and the support necessary for them to be successful. A majority of our residents develop a distrust for therapists and traditional treatment facilities before they arrive at Penrith Farms. Counseling at Penrith Farms happens spontaneously in the moment as situations develop rather than a scheduled traditional sit-down therapy session after the fact. This practice helps residents develop self-awareness about their behavior and emotional states in the moment as they are happening. We provide opportunities for coaching, counseling, mentoring, and therapy to occur spontaneously thereby allowing residents to recognize their emotions and resolve their issues. Many of the young adults that are at risk and failing to launch are in need of this experience. The Penrith Difference
Penrith Farms fosters trust and open communication between staff and residents. As we earn trust, we challenge residents to develop the skills necessary to transition into a positive and productive adulthood. The authentic connections we establish with residents will help them properly communicate, cooperate with others, and complete their commitments responsibly. We consistently challenge residents to express themselves appropriately, work as a team, embrace natural consequences, and socialize in a positive manner. Penrith Farms is a reflection of the challenges young adults will face as adults. All provided in a safe milieu where the ability to make mistakes is accepted but learning from them is expected. The relationships that are built at Penrith Farms end up being life long, and a majority of our former residents remain in contact with us and each other when the leave. These relationship skills will serve them throughout their lives. Failure to Launch
Failure to launch is a real-life struggle of young people 18 years or older that are ill-equipped to make the transition from adolescence to adulthood and independent living. The difficulties young adults face when transitioning into the developmental stage of adulthood come with the challenges created by greater independence and responsibility. “Failure to Launch” is the term du jour used to describe an age old phenomenon of young adults seeking to find significance, purpose, kinship and independence in their lives. Young adults who fail to launch lack the skills necessary to function independently, have failed out of school, or have ended up back home falling further behind their peers which perpetuates the cycle. They missed developing the skills necessary for autonomy and good judgment. The results can sometimes lead to: substance abuse, depression, social anxiety, and low self-esteem. Many times these young adults have been sheltered from the negative consequences of their choices which has impacted their independent functioning. To help turn these adult children around and end their fear of failure they need to be given challenges that will help them to gain confidence in themselves. At Penrith Farms we provide such an environment where young adults are introduced to a working farm. Residents are expected to participate in daily activities which include among other things farm work. Work will give these troubled young adults something to have pride in and it will also give them the opportunity to not be immediately successful. Penrith's Focus on Work Ethic
Work ethic and character are intimately intertwined with one another. At Penrith Farms we see work ethic as hard work and diligence. That is not to say that “more work” and “hard work” are equivalent with one each other because in most instances they are not. The focus is on quality of work and pride in what one is doing no matter what it may be. Many young adults are lacking a strong work ethic and at Penrith Farms we will instill simple concepts such as: being on time, performing quality work, and staying focused on one task over time.
