Relational permanency

A few months ago, we told you the story of an eight year old boy who suddenly was pulled into foster care - with a family who had never parented before. They benefited tremendously from having a Love Box group of volunteers wrap around their family. This is a continuation of that story - about how this child’s life has been forever changed because of this support:

He was getting lost in the mix of the large foster family, overwhelmed as more children were placed in the home. A Love Box volunteer named Stacy saw the opportunity and importance of mentoring the little boy.​

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​When the child expressed wanting to take martial arts classes, that became their thing - their connection. Every Saturday morning, Stacy would pick him up and take him to a kids Jiu-jitsu class. One day, Stacy asked him if he would also like to go to breakfast. “Like you and me?!” he asked. He had assumed that Stacy was like the other people who took him places- hired transporters. 
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​This Jiu-jitsu and breakfast routine went on for some months before a greater need arose. The foster parent shared that she was considering removing the little boy because she was becoming overwhelmed and unable to handle his big behaviors.

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Stacy stepped into a bigger role with the child that day, making a room for him at her house. On a particularly difficult week when it looked like the foster parent might utilize respite services or possibly end the placement, Stacy was ready. With the help of her Olympic Angels Case Manager, Stacy asked the foster parent and DCYF if they could have a week sleepover instead. The foster parent’s needs were met- they got a break, and the child's need was met- he had a sleepover with a familiar, trusted adult instead of going to yet another foster family, likely hours away. This also preserved the placement through the end of the school year.
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Today, four years later, Stacy is an anchor in this now middle schooler’s life. He now lives with his aunt and still sees Stacy weekly. This has given everyone a sense of deep emotional safety.