Now that Rainbow Days has more than 25 years of history in working with children we are often asked about the children who were part of those first support groups. “Where are they today and what are they doing?” “Do they represent long term successful outcomes for your program?” etc. Longitudinal studies and follow-up are outside the scope of our resources but we did reach out to some of the mothers who brought their children to Rainbow Days in those early years and asked them to update us on their children’s lives. We are happy to share these beautiful “success stories” of these remarkable young men and women. While Rainbow Days certainly can’t take full credit for their success they do credit their experience with us as having had a positive and lasting impact on their lives.


CATHERINE BROWN DEEKEN
Catherine, the little girl who was the inspiration for Rainbow Days, had just turned 8 when she, along with six other children, made up the first Rainbow Day’s support group. As Catherine joined her mother each week neither one of them had any idea what would evolve over the coming years. Responsible for choosing the name “Rainbow Days” from a list of three possibilities, she has continued to be actively involved in our work. Catherine pursued her early love and talent for singing, dancing and acting through her college years, graduating with a B.F.A. from Baylor University in 1996. After marrying her husband Todd in 1998, they moved to the Los Angeles area to pursue their dreams of being in the film industry. Today Catherine follows in her parent’s entrepreneurial footsteps having founded her own business as a Virtual Assistant. Since she turned 12 she has helped in the groups, assisted with curriculum development and each summer works with the homeless children in Camp Broadway and Kid’s University. Catherine has broken the multigenerational cycle of addiction in her family!


KATHRYN AND SARAH MCKELLAR
Kathryn and Sarah were 7 and 5 years old when their mother, newly in recovery herself, brought them to their first Rainbow Day’s support group. Today they have positive memories of their experience at Rainbow Days—especially the opportunity to participate in the art activities and having children their own age to discuss things with. Kathryn, an accomplished opera singer and honors student, is completing her M.M. in Vocal Performance at The Boston Conservatory. Her goal is to combine her love and talent for performance with her administrative and leadership skills and work in a prominent Northeast conservatory. When Sarah graduates this spring with a B.A. from The Colorado College she hopes to continue her work in special education as part of the Teach for America program. Sarah, also an honors student, worked as an intern with Rainbow Days in the summer of 2005, and took a special interest in the homeless children and the impact their experience has on their development. This interest led to her conducting research with Rainbow Days and submitting it as part of her senior year requirements.


JENNIFER AND BROOKE
Jennifer and Brooke were 8 and 6 when they started going to Rainbow Days. They were in the first group of children to participate. Their experience was so positive and meaningful. They gained a love and interest in helping others, especially children. Jennifer teaches High School Math. She is gifted not only in teaching math but also providing an educational environment full of integrity, compassion, and commitment. Her wonderful husband and she have a precious daughter, who is growing up understanding the importance of being authentic and sharing feelings. She is currently serving in leadership at a recovery ministry at her church. Brooke works part-time from home as an attorney and full-time as a mom to two wonderful children. Brooke has the heart of a “missionary" and the mind of an “attorney”. Throughout her high school and college years she worked with children who were underprivileged. Teaching and loving her children are her main ministry and passion along with her wonderful husband.