In 1973, almost 50 years ago I left my career working in juvenile justice institutions or lockups of the time to start an alternative in the private sector. I named this program after the native American rite of passage, the vision quest, because of my time spent as a Vista volunteer with Native Americans in the Crow tribe in Montana. While there I developed a lasting collaboration and friendship with a young tribal leader, Dan Old Elk who was later instrumental in the development and operation of VQ. I was honored to be adopted into his family and to be given the right to use the tribal ceremonies in my work with people. Later, having met a talented partner in Steve Rogers who came with me from the field of corrections, we set out to challenge young offenders by having them make commitments and then ask them to live up to them.

Not only were we pioneers in the shift away from large state-run institutions we literally became pioneers. In the year of our country’s Bicentennial, 1976, we started a wagon train program crisscrossing the country for a decade, powered by mules, youthful offenders, and incredible staff members. In the years since, over 150,000 young people have participated in adventure based and community-based programming in 10 states.   We were known for taking the toughest kids and we did a good job with them.

Just like the juvenile justice system has changed, VQ has adapted its program into new categories known as “best practices” for youth in trouble. Taking on the shattered lives of dependent kids whose lives have been damaged by their dysfunctional families has added new dimensions to VQ’s circle of care.  Most recently, we have been honored to provide therapeutic, humane shelter services to youngsters who have traveled their own “quest” in coming thousands of miles to find a place of safety in our country.

In its basic form we use the circle as an approach to treatment, perspectives, communications and organizational structure. Each cardinal direction provides a guidepost for going full circle through the program. This nonlinear approach was based on the Native American medicine wheel which in many ways served as a guide for behavior and tool for communications in community life.

There has been a core group of staff members over the years, known within our company as SPS (Senior Professional Staff) who have committed themselves to VQ’s on-going improvement.  In doing so they have made all the difference.  I have seen the ethic of the SPS is ever continuing and I am encouraged that our philosophy will remain influential in the treatment of kids in the future.