Due to domestic violence and serious mental health challenges in the home, five-year-old Gloria* entered care with significant delays affecting her speech, motor skills, and social development. She was still in diapers, had not yet transitioned to solid foods, and was hospitalized for anemia when Family and Children’s Services intervened. After her release, Gloria was placed with trusted family friends who opened their home and hearts to her.
These resource parents went above and beyond to help Gloria begin healing and access the support she needed. Just two months later, Gloria was matched with Advocate Jeri*. Working alongside FosterEd and Gloria’s caregivers, Jeri helped secure tutoring, enroll Gloria in school, and put an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) in place so she could receive the services she deserved.
Gloria caught on quickly. She loved to learn, and as a former educator, Jeri loved to teach. Jeri had a gift for meeting Gloria exactly where she was. She slowed things down, broke concepts into manageable steps, and paced outings in a way that let Gloria explore the world safely and with confidence.
Together, they tried new foods at local restaurants, visited the horses at Horse Whisperers, and explored the fields and animals at Live Earth Farm. But Gloria’s favorite place was the plant nursery. The first time they went, Gloria spent two full hours wandering in awe among the rows of plants, asking endless questions, taking everything in, and marveling at the beauty around her. Before they left, she even got to bring home a plant of her very own.
Today, Gloria has caught up in her physical, language, social, and cognitive development. And just last month, her resource family officially adopted her in a beautiful ceremony. Gloria now has a new family who deeply loves her, a natural support and trusted friend in Jeri, and a room of her own in her new house. She even has a little garden out back where she can watch her plant grow right alongside her.
*fictional name
