Lila* entered foster care at age ten after enduring years of neglect. Though foster care provided her the physical safety she needed and deserved, stability eluded her. Her first two placements didn’t last long, and by the time she moved in with her third resource family, the Thompsons*, Lila was understandably withdrawn, overwhelmed at school, and often silent when adults tried to connect with her. She also wrestled with hypervigilance, anxiety, and other symptoms of trauma.

The Thompsons were committed to providing a safe and loving home for Lila and supporting her healing. But they didn’t always know how to go about it and felt they could benefit from some guidance. That’s when they were referred to Stanford Sierra Youth & Families.

At Stanford Sierra, the Thompsons partnered with a family support counselor who taught them trauma-informed approaches for helping Lila regulate her emotions and how to respond with patience when she shut down or withdrew from them.

At the same time, Lila began working with a counselor who took time to learn about Lila’s fears and the losses she’d endured. Her counselor also helped her understand and manage her anxiety and other challenging symptoms of trauma.

With consistent support at home, school, and in therapy, Lila began to feel safe, connected, and hopeful. At school, Lila joined a small after-school gardening club. She liked working outside with her peers and learning about different plants and how to help them grow. Her teachers noticed improvements in her schoolwork. As Lila’s gardening club friendships grew, she felt more hopeful about the future. She participated more in class and was more open to the Thompsons at home.

Lila is 13 now. She still likes to garden with her circle of friends, and she continues to participate in therapy to process what she’s been through and to support her healing and healthy development. Like any young teenager, she still faces challenges, but she doesn’t face them alone anymore. Lila is now a permanent part of the Thompson family. Their adoption was finalized over the summer.

Stanford Sierra Youth & Families remains committed to walking alongside Lila and the Thompsons, providing ongoing support as they continue their journey together.

*Names have been changed to protect confidentiality.