When two and a half year-old "Carlos" was placed in a foster care home, he spent the first three weeks running to the door, shoes in hand, looking for his mother to come and take him home. Sadly, Carlos’s mother was struggling with severe drug addiction and his father had abandoned the family. Too young to understand why his mother was not there, the toddler was "hard to console... especially at night," said his foster mom, Dina Martinez.
Thanks to the nurturing care and structure Dina provided, Carlos gradually began to sleep through the night, verbally express himself, and enjoy play activities. "We wanted Carlos to experience the world as a kind and happy place; not the abusive, stressful environment he knew," Dina explained.
Meanwhile, Carlos’s parents began making their own strides toward a better life. Both attended and successfully completed parenting classes at The Village Family Services. Carlo’s father secured a home for the family and supported his wife throughout her drug counseling program. Determined to reunite their family, the parents worked with Dina to regularly visit Carlos and eventually to have overnight visits with him.
Thanks to foster care, parenting classes and a chance to rebuild their family,
Carlos and his parents were reunited following their last court hearing. The change in Carlos was "so rewarding to see," said Dina.
"The family has such hope now for a better future."
A foster teen was recently honored at Celebration 07 – Honoring the Academic Achievements of Foster Youth. The annual event held at the Walt Disney Concert Hall celebrates the accomplishments of outstanding foster youth throughout Los Angeles.
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