Johnny’s Yard – A Story of Adoption, Divine Timing, and Unmistakable Grace

A Calling to Adopt

Before we even knew we couldn’t conceive, Sue and I had always intended to adopt. We wanted to share our love with children who needed it most. In 1975, we adopted nine-month-old Heidi from Seoul, Korea—abandoned at birth on the steps of a church. Four years later, we adopted five-month-old Dena, the daughter of a young unwed mother who gave birth in secret. Both were joyous additions to our lives.

Welcoming Denise

For our third child, we pursued local adoption in Michigan. Early in the process, we got a call about a special-needs child named Denise. She was two and a half, and after meeting her, we immediately knew: she was our daughter.

Denise had suffered neglect during her early life and was labeled a “failure-to-thrive” infant. Her birth mother had not fed her properly, stunting early brain development. She struggled with eating disorders, speech problems, and developmental delays. We were warned these issues would likely last into adulthood.

The Struggles of Education

Her biggest challenge, however, was education. She was too advanced for some special-ed classes yet couldn’t keep pace in mainstream ones. In middle school, it became clear we needed a new path. Though the thought of sending her away was heartbreaking, we began exploring specialized boarding schools.

Discovering Riverview

During a work trip, a colleague, Pat Colloton, told us about a school in Massachusetts called Riverview. His own son, Johnny, had loved the school before tragically drowning in a backyard accident. Pat and his wife Patti had honored Johnny’s memory by funding a gazebo and small park on campus called, “Johnny’s Yard.”

We visited Riverview the summer after Denise turned sixteen. Given her resistance to change, we expected apprehension. Instead, we were amazed. The staff treated her with dignity and warmth. Students greeted her with smiles and encouragement. On the ride home, I nervously asked, “Denise, how do you like the school?” Without hesitation, she said, “I want to go there.”

A New Chapter Begins

That fall, Denise enrolled. Saying goodbye was painful—but it proved to be one of the best decisions we ever made. At Riverview, Denise blossomed. The school’s motto, “Riverview Cares,” wasn’t just a tagline—it was their reality.

Denise went on to attend Cape Cod Community College and later lived independently in a supportive adult community called LIFE (Living Independently Forever). At 32, she had her own condo, a tenant, a part-time job, and close friendships. Riverview made that possible.

Graduation Day

But nothing captured the transformation better than her graduation day.

In the summer of 1999, hundreds gathered for Riverview’s commencement at Cape Cod Community College. Our entire family came. As Denise walked across the stage to receive her diploma, her face beamed. We, the Sieverts, sat in a row—all of us fighting back tears. This wasn’t just a ceremony; it was a triumph.

An Unexpected Honor

Then came the special awards. Rick Lavoie, Riverview’s founder, introduced the Good Citizenship Award, created in memory of Johnny Colloton. It would go to the student who best embodied Johnny’s spirit of kindness.

Rick paused. “Fred Sievert is in the audience today,” he said. I looked up, stunned.

“Fred is a friend of Johnny’s father, Pat. On each visit to Riverview, Fred calls Pat from Johnny’s Yard to tell him how beautiful it looks. Pat treasures those calls.”

What Rick said was true—but I thought only Pat knew.

The Good Citizenship Award

Then came the moment I’ll never forget. Rick continued: “Today, Fred can call his friend Pat and tell him that his daughter Denise has been awarded the Johnny Colloton Good Citizenship Award.”

The room erupted in applause as Denise went up to the stage. I couldn’t see through my tears. It was the most fitting tribute to her growth and the loving community that embraced her.

Grace in Johnny’s Yard

Later that afternoon, I went to Johnny’s Yard alone and called Pat. Through sobs, I shared everything. He cried with me. That moment, in that sacred place, we both felt the presence of something far greater than ourselves.

God had orchestrated a journey through heartbreak and uncertainty to grace and transformation. And in that journey, Denise found her life—and her place in the world.

Closing Reflection

Stories like Denise’s remind us that God’s grace often shows up in the most unexpected places—sometimes in a conversation, sometimes in a school we never planned to visit, and sometimes in a garden built to honor a life gone too soon. Wherever you are on your journey, may you look back and see the quiet, steady fingerprints of God guiding your steps, just as we did at Johnny’s Yard.