I’m Brandon and I live in Columbus. I am 35 years old, married and I have three children, two girls and a boy. I am a special education teacher.
My journey at Pineland started on June 27, 1997. I was nine years old, and Pineland was my third foster home in two weeks after being removed from my mom’s custody. I was very nervous and not in the best of moods. Mr. Shayne was there to show me around and meet the house parents. I won’t lie: I was not very happy and did not want to be there. I would constantly get in trouble with the house parents and stomp from the cottage to the office demanding to speak to my case manager to “get me out of this place.” I’m happy my case manager didn’t listen to me. I stayed at Pineland almost eight years.
Looking back, I am not sure why I wanted to leave this home. If I was living with my mom I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to do a lot of things I got to do while living at Pineland. There were a lot of good times, from the annual Christmas party which I loved very much, getting the gifts and speaking with the guests who supported us. This was my favorite time of year. We went to Disney World and Six Flags, to playing outside, even going to major sporting events like a Falcons game (GO Cowboys!). We went to see the Columbus Cottonmouths and actually got to meet the players!
Pineland has definitely shaped me to be the man I am today. I still do some of the things that Pineland made me do even though my own kids don’t like it—such as keep a chore list and Saturday “deep clean” bathrooms and bedrooms before you go out and play. Pineland also embedded in me a sense of right and wrong, as well as manners–saying “yes sir, no sir, yes ma’am, no ma’am.” I continue to use these manners as I teach my children and students. I thank Pineland for molding me into a productive citizen and human being. Pineland equipped me with the necessary skills I need to function in the real world. They provided me with classes, such as computer courses, and taught me how to be out in public and not cause a scene. I work hard for my family, as well as my students.
I was asked by my friend and former resident director Mr. Shayne to speak on behalf of Pineland. Mr. Shayne has been in my life since I was nine. Ever since I left at the age of 16, we have been in touch. I joke with my wife that some of the mannerisms and style of dress (button down shirts, khakis and shoes) at school are very similar to Mr. Shayne’s. He is one of the consistent adults in my life during times of uncertainty. I just want to tell you, Mr. Shayne, thank you for always being on my side, for always looking out for me. My hope is that each child who gets placed at Pineland receives the same experience I had: the love and guidance they provided that we most desperately need in times of uncertainty. Thank you to Pineland, Mr. Shayne and our supporters. I don’t know where I would be today without them.