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James and Tina
A seven-year-old boy, James, and his four-year-old-sister Trena, came to the Center due to severe neglect. Both children were
developmentally delayed and lacked emotional and social-skill development. The staff at the Center worked extensively with both
children in recognizing letters, shapes, and colors (neither child could do this upon arriving at the Center), basic coming skills
and social skills such as asking for permission and table manners.
After 45 days in the Center, the kids left to move into a foster home. All the staff got big hugs, and James told us he was
feeling sad that he was leaving the Center so when he arrived at his new home, he was going to write in his
journal (a new skill learned at the Center). Trena, who wasn’t sure what was going on, started waving and singing the
Alphabet song. She didn’t miss a single letter.
Amanda
Fifteen-year-old Amanda came to the Center after being sexually assaulted by her stepfather. Like lots of kids seeking
safety, Amanda was happy to come to the Center and was relieved to be with us.
Amanda will be staying at the Center until her Mom can get a place of her own in which her daughter will be safe again.
Five siblings
A sibling group of five came to the Center after witnessing their mother commit a violent crime. The children were both scared
of their mother’s temper as well as fearful of her welfare in jail.
The children were with us for almost a full month, during which time they worked on relaxation techniques to calm anxiety
attacks and appropriate ways to express anger and fear. Not only did the kids have the opportunity to learn new
life skills at Callen-Lacey, they also were able to begin their healing as a sibling unit instead of being split among different
foster homes.
A final and unexpected benefit of the kids’ staying at the Center was that by buying DSS some time to find just the right
foster family, the kids were actually able to be placed together in a new home upon leaving Callen-Lacey.
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