Testimonials
Testimonies from Foster Children
When I was 14 years old I was on a complete and total path of destruction. I partied, drank, vaped and did drugs. I always blamed it on my home life. Maybe if my mom was there more I wouldn’t do this. Maybe if my mom had more time for me I wouldn’t be this way.
On June 7, 2022 I went into foster care. All in one day I had been kicked out, argued with the police, and told I was going into foster care. My first foster home was a nightmare. There were two unattentive foster parent’s who locked you in your room at 9 at night. I begged my worker “please don’t leave me here anywhere else but here.” I begged her up until the moment she walked out the door. I felt abandoned all over again. When I refused to turn in my phone that night they called my caseworker who called the on call social worker and as soon as the on call worker was on their way they called their 30 year old daughter over there and I just sat there as she mocked me.
When the on call worker picked me up, I slept on DHR’s couch that night as I had no where to go. I just wanted to feel like someone actually loved me. The next day I woke to DHR trying to find my phone. They told me I had until 2pm to give them my phone and that I was going to another foster home.
They gave me stuff to get a shower and as I was getting a shower my caseworker left and went to get me Subway. We ate in the break room and I started talking to all the workers and then 2pm came before you knew it and some lady came to pick me up. We went to Curt’s closet to get me some clothes and McDonald’s and I cried the whole way. At first we pulled up at the wrong house and I thought “maybe this is a sign I’m not meant to be here” but then we got the right address and when we got there I was greeted by a single woman trying to wrangle at the time 6 other people ranging from 6 to 18.
She greeted me with, “Hey my names Dana”. She introduced me to everyone as she showed me my room. I unpacked all my stuff as she sat on the bed and asked me my story and I told her as she listened. I never knew that this lady was going to be the light at the end of my tunnel. That night she took all of us to McDonald’s for dinner and then to this huge church for a camp meeting in Birmingham. I was honestly scared and so confused.
As I went on, I was offered a week at church youth camp which I declined multiple times but eventually I was convinced to go and had the time of my life. For once I was actually happy. I came back after a week and told Dana all about it. It was so awesome. We go to church every Sunday and Wednesday and even some Sunday nights. I have served in the Kids Crusade this past summer and Light the Night on Halloween. I honestly thought my life was going no where until I met Dana.
I got inducted into a college honor society and I am taking a college class on track to do what I am passionate about (working with kids). When I came to Dana I never thought I would have any type of relationship with my mom but through encouraging words, Dana convinced me to at least give it a shot and now my relationship with my mom is better than ever.
I will always thank Dana for taking me in when nobody even wanted me. She fought for me like no one in my life ever has and I’m will forever be thankful for God giving me to her. Honestly a gift from heaven!!
M- 15 yr old foster child