Email annie@afamilyforeverychild.org or call (541) 343-2856 for details. This will be a fun and easy way to be involved with the Family Finding program!

[To maintain confidentiality, this story is a composite of several Family Finding cases. Names are fictional.]

Travis came into foster care at the age of five. Up to that point, he had been living with his teenage mother and her abusive parents. She did not receive the support she needed at home, and feared for her son's safety. Travis' father loved his son, but also was abusive and struggled with drugs and alcohol. Travis was taken into foster care with the plan set for adoption. He was eventually adopted by foster parents, but after a few years it was discovered that they had been physically and sexually abusing Travis. At the age of 12, Travis found himself back in the system.

Travis was developmentally delayed and very small for his age. He was often the target of bullying at school. He didn't know how to handle "big emotions" and often acted out in anger and violence. He had a hard time focusing in school and struggled academically. Due to his violent behavior, he was often moved around to different foster homes. He was disconnected from friends and family and felt like he had no one to talk to except his therapists. He felt incredibly alone and isolated, like no one understood him. He had not had any contact with his family in more than seven years when his case was selected for Family Finding.

After the family search was complete, we held a family meeting at A Family For Every Child. Twelve family members attended, including Travis's mother and father, paternal grandparents, two paternal uncles, a maternal aunt and uncle, and several grown siblings. The caseworker talked to everyone about how Travis was doing and what had happened with him over the years. The family was saddened to hear of Travis's experience, but they rallied to support him. One of the uncles had wanted to adopt Travis and he and his wife had taken adoption classes, but they were too late. He was stunned to hear what had occured in Travis' original adoption. Travis' father is starting to turn his life around and has gone through anger management and domestic violence classes. His parents (Travis' paternal grandparents), who live out of state, had not been a part of their son's life and did not even know about Travis. They have boxes of family photos of their dad and his brothers that they want to share with Travis. Travis's mother was recently married and has two other children. His siblings are excited for the opportunity to get to know their brother.

We held three family meetings for Travis to figure out how best to support him in a way that he was able to handle emotionally. Less than six months after the last family meeting, the paternal aunt and uncle who had wanted to adopt Travis are now certified as his foster parents and he is now living with them. They are thrilled to have him as a part of their life. Travis has been really excited to see photos and get letters from his relatives. Each piece of communication is a treasure to him. He is pleased to know that his family loves him and that they have been waiting for him. He got to meet some of his relatives at a pizza restaurant, including some cousins his own age. He is so excited to have a family, and to feel like he finally belongs. His grades are improving and he is having fewer angry outbursts. Family Finding has really made a difference to reconnect this family.

Thank you to our wonderful volunteers who make these connections possible!

If you or anyone you know is interested in becoming a Family Finding volunteer, please let me know!

Mark your calendar for a powerful training series presented by LCC Instructor and Licensed Forensic Psychologist Ruth Bicksel who is offering two training sessions that will support our efforts to locate family members of the children we serve in our Family Finding program. 

This is a two week series, June 16 and June 23, from 9am to 1pm.  For more information and/or to save your space, email Helen at helen@afamilyforeverychild.org

Supportive adults can provide assistance that many of us take for granted: a home for the holidays, a place to do laundry, regular check-ins, job search assistance, and other things that can truly help a young adult adapt to the "real world." FosterClub lists 45 simple ways that a supportive adult might assist a youth who is transitioning from foster care.

Follow this link below to read more: Permanency Pact

Family Finding is not just about locating family members, we are identifying and connecting with any adult who cares about the youth and wants to be involved. These adults can include teachers, counselors, coaches, mentors, their friends' parents, foster parents, family friends, or church connections. The types are endless!