Blog: Our Success Stories
From Silence to Connection
Healing and Friendship through Mentorship
11-year-old Janey* mostly kept to herself last year when she was matched with her Wonder mentor, Martha*. Martha would ask Janey about school, her interest in animals, or whichever Harry Potter book she was reading at the time. But Janey’s answers were often short and rarely invited follow-ups. During Wonder group events, Janey would watch instead of joining in. At the ice-skating rink, she sat on a bench rather than skating with the others.
A Journey of Growth and Friendship
Celebrating a Remarkable Match
We are thrilled to highlight an inspiring match that has been together for five and a half years. This journey began when the Guide met the Explorer at the tender age of 13. Throughout her teenage years, the Explorer has had the unwavering support of the Guide. Initially, the Explorer was in foster care, but since then, she has been adopted by the same caregiver, providing her with stability and permanency alongside a consistent mentor.
Empowering Youth
SSYAF & Sutter Health's School Based Mental Health Partnership
In Sacramento and Yolo County, where the need for comprehensive mental health support is undeniable, Stanford Sierra Youth & Families (SSYAF) has emerged as a beacon of hope. Through a transformative partnership with Sutter Health, SSYAF has extended its reach to provide vital School Based Mental Health Services, directly addressing the urgent needs of students in Sacramento City Unified School and Washington Unified School District.
Marisol’s Path to Reunification and Recovery
Celebrating National Family Reunification Month in June
Marisol* lost custody of her daughter because of her alcoholism, which severely limited her ability to parent. It was a wake-up call. She realized how unmanageable her life had become and wanted more than anything to reunite with her daughter. But her sobriety was intermittent, and she struggled to follow the county’s plan to re-establish custody.
Celebrating Foster Care Awareness Month
A Heartfelt Thank You to Dignity Health for Sponsoring Our 2024 Family Picnic
We are thrilled to express our heartfelt gratitude to Dignity Health for sponsoring our 2024 Family Picnic! This event is more than just a day of fun—it is a vital celebration of our incredible resource families and a cornerstone of Foster Care Awareness Month. This May, we came together to champion a vision where all children thrive in committed, permanent, and nurturing families, supported by their communities and enhanced by trauma-informed services.
Stability in the Storm: Dawson’s Story of Finding Family
Foster Care Awareness Month in May
Dawson entered foster care before his first birthday and lived in twelve different homes by age ten. His one constant connection was with his great aunt, whom he loved dearly. She wanted to provide Dawson with a home, but health problems left her unable to care for him. She required assistance. Eventually, Dawson was placed in a group home.
From Hopelessness to Healing
Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month in April
Kayla grew up with parents who dealt and used drugs. Home life was erratic and unsafe. Illegal activity took place regularly, there was seldom enough to eat, and Kayla often skipped school. An acquaintance of her parents sexually abused her several times.
Healing & Hope in a Loving Family
Sean and Ricky
Sean and Ricky were born into a household marked by physical abuse and neglect. When Sean was six and Ricky was five, they were taken into protective custody. The brothers were moved nine times during their seven years in foster care. While most kids their age were making friends, developing academically, and growing socially, Sean and Ricky were often moved from home to home with little notice. They were separated twice when the county couldn’t find a family to take them both in.
Finding Forever
Melanie's Journey to Family
Melanie entered foster care when she was eight years old in 2017. For the next two years, she was placed with several families, some of them kin. However, each placement ended when the resource family was unable to address Melanie’s emotional and mental health needs. Melanie had been neglected before entering care and required special help.
Stitching Lives Together
Nurturing Growth and Resilience Through Mentorship
“I had a conversation with the recent guardians of my mentee. They expressed the challenges they faced as guardians, especially in obtaining information about the youth’s past, including medical history. This made me realize that, apart from his biological mom, I am the adult who has been in his life the longest, nearing half of his life as he approaches adulthood.
A Teenager’s Journey through Trauma, Mentorship, and Healing
Beyond the Wonder Mentoring Program
Emily* is a teenager. In many ways, she’s like her peers. She studies for tests and does homework while navigating deeper issues like identity and fitting in. Emily deals with other complexities too, issues many of her peers don’t. She endured repeated trauma as a child and now lives in foster care.
The Priceless Gift of Family
Siblings united after spending years apart
Desiree* and her two younger brothers Connor* and Micah* grew up in an unsafe environment, where they were exposed to drug dealing and domestic violence. When Desiree was 8 years old and her brothers were 3 and 5 they were placed in foster care for their safety.
Nurturing Permanent Connections
Empowering Families to Solve Challenges Together
When Brianna* was six, her mother became unable to care for her, and Brianna was placed into foster care. Her first placement didn’t last long. When her second placement was about to end prematurely as well, Briana’s aunt Shelly* stepped forward to help.
Walking With Youth Through Challenging Times
October is National Youth Justice Action Month
Curtis* lives with his mom and two younger siblings in a neighborhood with few job opportunities or after-school activities. Curtis frequently skips school. When he attends, he often argues with teachers and fights with other students. In the last year, he’s been involved with the juvenile justice system for marijuana possession and, more recently, theft. That’s when Sacramento County Juvenile Probation Department put him in contact with Darrell*.
Keeping Youth Connected and Families Strong
Kinship Navigators are here to help
Josephine*, Lillian*, and Calvin* are two sisters and a brother aged 12, 10, and 7. When their mother became unable to care for them, their aunt and uncle opened their home to them. It was a safer, healthier environment, a familiar one too. Still, the siblings needed help dealing with the trauma they’d endured. They received that care at Stanford Sierra Youth & Families. At Stanford Sierra, the children’s aunt and uncle were also connected with Bianca*, a kinship navigator. Kinship navigators support relative caregivers such as aunts, uncles, and grandparen
Reunification: A Story of Families
Focused on their strengths when faced with challenges
Jenson* (12 years old) and Haley* (10) are brother and sister. They live with their mom and their two older siblings in a duplex not far from school. Their mom works during the days and helps them with their homework at night. As with any family, sometimes they argue. But above it all, they love and support each other. They help each other through challenges and celebrate accomplishments. But it wasn’t always this way.
A Voice in Their Own Care
Children gain confidence and believe in themselves again
When Morgan* was in grade school, her father died unexpectedly. Not long afterwards, a friend of the family sexually abused her. In the following years, Morgan became deeply depressed. She had difficulty sleeping and began harming herself. By the time she entered high school, she was isolating from friends and family and in danger of failing out of school.
Myths vs. Facts About Becoming a Resource Parent
Debunking Foster Care Misconceptions
When considering to become a resource family there are misconceptions about foster care that may sway you away. Opening your heart and home is an important decision and you should have the correct information. Remember you CAN make a positive impact in a youth’s life.
Let’s debunk the top 12 misconceptions about foster care:
MYTH 1: I can’t be a resource parent because I don’t own my own home.
Increased Mental Health Challenges for Youth in Foster Care
Modeling and implementing coping skills for youth in care
There are almost 400,000 youth in foster care in the U.S., with California being a leading state. Recent Federal legislation, designed to help families provide safe and stable homes for their children through culturally appropriate services, has contributed to the declining number of youth in care. While that number has decreased recently, data shows increased mental health challenges for youth, including depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation.
Parent Partners Help Families Stay Together
Amara's journey to self-advocacy and healing from past trauma
Amara* lived with her three children and her husband, the children’s stepdad, who was verbally and physically abusive. Child Protective Services became involved, removed the children from the home, and placed them in foster care. Amara, who herself had been abused as a child, was devastated.