Siblings Maya* and Lucas* entered foster care after years of exposure to domestic violence and neglect. During those years, Maya, the older of the two, often acted as Lucas’s protector, assuming a role far beyond her years. By the time they entered care—Maya at age nine and Lucas at six—both children carried the weight of trauma. They struggled with anxiety, difficulty trusting adults, and emotional outbursts that made it hard to maintain stable placements. While they remained together, the instability of frequent moves between placements added to their burden and delayed healing. Recognizing the depth of their needs, the county turned to Stanford Sierra Youth & Families to help find a lasting solution.

Working alongside the county, our team focused on providing Maya and Lucas the space to begin processing what they’d been through, to start healing. As we searched for a permanent home, it was vital to find a family ready to embrace the complexities of their journey.  We found such a family in the Bennetts*, a young couple who wanted to start their family through adoption.

The Bennetts came to the process with open hearts and a deep willingness to seek the knowledge necessary to support the children’s healing. Our role was to provide them the tools and understanding they needed to navigate the impacts of childhood trauma.  Through ongoing support from Stanford Sierra, the Bennetts learned how to respond to Maya’s hypervigilance with reassurance and patience and how to help Lucas regulate his emotions during moments of distress.  As the Bennetts consistently showed up for Maya and Lucas, Maya and Lucas began to trust them, and the Bennetts grew more confident in their ability to provide them the love and support they need and deserve.

Today, Maya, Lucas, and the Bennetts are building a future together by becoming a family. The siblings continue to heal and grow.  They’re forming friendships at school, getting caught up academically, and showing greater emotional stability at home.  For the first time in years, they are not just safe—they’re home, where they belong, supported by a community who believe in them.

*Names have been changed to protect confidentiality.