Madonna Heights Services - SCO Family of Services, Dix Hills NY

I miss Kerri Baletti so much and Ms. Barbara. Dr. Gervich had a new diagnosis and medication every visit even if you sat there and said nothing to her. Place is a insurance scam. No one listened to the children only the parents and ACS/DSS workers. 2001-2006

At the time I didn't have nearly as much of an appreciation for this place as I do now. At Madonna Heights, I learned a lot in the ways of empathy for others around me and cooperation. I attended Madonna Heights around 2019, when I was at my worst. I left the RTF with a sense of community that I have never felt before, and I would love to personally thank some of the staff and my peers back then for that. One of my favorite skills that I would love to get back into was the jewelry making; The two teachers who taught were the kindest, most intelligent and creative ladies I have ever met. I still have my favorite piece that I created based on The Starry Night.:)

Was in the cottage, 2006 to 2008 was the only white girl there, also all the staff were black, got beat up and verbally abused daily, even had the police called one time after I was assaulted so bad, they had to put me in a seperate room by myself downstairs, prayed everyday until I was 18 to sign myself out.no therapy or help just a prison being verbally and physically attacked on a daily basis by ghetto black girls thnx Tammy for the black eye.

I lived at Madonna Heights in the 1964 stayed for 4 years. It was the best thing that happened to me! I learned many skills as well as my education was on a better track. Although being black many concerns were not addressed nor were we encouraged to achieve greater success. I loved living there. I learned how to sew industrial and fashion clothing. We were encouraged to be leaders of our unit. I was active in all sports. I am thankful for the spiritual learning was as expanded into a true spiritual life.

Terrible place, attended 2 y ago for 2y
sat around and learned nothing but from the teachers who care (Dwyer, Sherwood, Bottone) older teachers are there to instill the beliefs from years ago constantly reminding students of how it “ used to be” with teachers hitting etc. Inpatient girls are SCARY and belong in a real rehabilitation center not here. I attended with a girl who killed her brother and 2 others in a car accident when she was 15 and not supposed to be driving, why did the judge sentence her here… why was it an option? , she was able to see her child frequently and gloated about getting away with what she did. Girls fight each other like a real jail and teachers are intended to act as prison guards who have minimal training are supposed to injure themselves to detain these girls. Some girls are in gangs and cause issues due to rivalry and obviously wear gang signs such as bandanas, durags that are colored red/blue, full outfits, sneakers, things that staff can 100% control.
They are entitled, mad at the system and unaware of the real world consequences of any or all of their actions. Minimal to no control of anyone is displayed here, if you can go somewhere else run from here.

1983-1984, place was run by nuns. The head nun never smiled, actually I think she did once in my time there. It was tough, finding out within the last couple of years I’m adhd, autistic and ODD, which is a definite trait of mine, always the defiant one, hate rules but follow them (for the most part) now I wonder why all the therapy I had to endure didn’t see what was wrong with me, or if they knew something it wasn’t shared with me, amazed at how in this day and age all your records are kept from you. Not allowed to have one single record from any doctor or school. Anyway, I don’t know how MH is run now, or if they even have to wear the ugly uniforms. Sure, now as an adult it did some good, set me straight enough to stay out of trouble.

Horrible place. If anything I learned how to be worse. They teach you nothing. You wake up, shower, eat breakfast, go to school do chores and get bullied. A lot of the girls who I attended their with belong in jail. Are in jail or have a very failed life as of right now. I’m so glad the judge said I didn’t belong there and I was released.

I am beyond grateful for Madonna heights, and the wonderful people who worked here during my time. I was treated like family and felt loved by each and every one of the staff. I was taught so many things that helped mold me into the adult I am today. I will forever hold this place in my heart and miss the staff from Diamonds unit, teachers and nurses. Especially Ms. Connie & Ms. Tanya, Ms Teresa Stone, Ms. Teresa Bukingham, Ms. Danielle, Ms. Shakir, Ms. Dahlisha, Ms. Lavondra Ms. Barbara to name a few.