We believe stringer families create stronger communities.
It’s hard to know what to expect when your family is presented with a child’s need for permanency in the face of a birth parent’s personal struggles. Julie and Sam Johnson adopted their granddaughters to offer them a safe and peaceful home after years of trauma in their young lives, which included termination of parental rights, domestic violence, and exposure to substance abuse. Julie and Sam thought this adoption would be the start of a bright new future for the girls, and life would go on as normal.
What they got was defiance, opposition, and constant fighting between the girls. Conflict to their once peaceful home every single day. Things reached a breaking point as traditional parenting proved ineffective and the stress in the home had the Johnson’s considering hospital admittance and even dissolving the adoption.
As they desperately sought help for the crisis in their home, Julie and Sam were connected to Chosen. They began meeting with a parent coach where they learned about trauma and the impact of early-life stressors. They were given new tools to foster a healthy family environment, and a greater understanding of the “why” for the girls’ behaviors. The girls actively participated in therapy and soon things began to change.
Stress levels experienced by the parents and trauma behaviors exhibited by the girls decreased to almost normal ranges.
Like a lighthouse guides a ship to safety in the middle of a storm, the team that surrounded the Johnson family brought them through to the other side. With Chosen’s guidance and support, a family once on the brink of destruction is now experiencing healthy relationships, and their hope for the future is restored. Julie and Sam both credit Chosen for helping to light the way and support them to implement restorative change in thelife of their family.
What impact can one person have on another? Meet Emily and Quella...
Emily is 14 and has experienced the roughest of starts…5 placements in foster care and a stay in a residential treatment center. No family, no support. After being referred to Chosen’s program for youth without a family placement, she was introduced to Quella.
Quella began to show up, not just as her Care Manager, but as a mentor and partner to help Emily build attachment and start a journey towards healing. When Emily ran away from her placement, Quella was there when she returned. When Emily ran away from the hotel she was placed in under state care, Quella was there, hotel after hotel. After running away from her last placement multiple times, Emily was moved to a residential facility for additional help, and Quella showed up once again. “When Emily saw me at the treatment center her eyes lit up,” Quella shared. “Emily said, ‘You’re here for me? Just for me?’ I said, ‘Yes, just for you.’”
Through Chosen’s approach, Emily and Quella explored Emily’s past experiences and needs, helping her grow her sense of self-worth. Emily is now allowed to leave the treatment center campus, attend church, go out to eat, and go to movies. She has requested to meet with Quella once a week and continues her journey of hope and healing.
What impact can one person have on another? Read the note Emily sent Quella in Fall of 2023...
What impact can one person have on another? Meet Emily and Quella...
Emily is 14 and has experienced the roughest of starts…5 placements in foster care and a stay in a residential treatment center. No family, no support. After being referred to Chosen’s program for youth without a family placement, she was introduced to Quella.
Quella began to show up, not just as her Care Manager, but as a mentor and partner to help Emily build attachment and start a journey towards healing. When Emily ran away from her placement, Quella was there when she returned. When Emily ran away from the hotel she was placed in under state care, Quella was there, hotel after hotel. After running away from her last placement multiple times, Emily was moved to a residential facility for additional help, and Quella showed up once again. “When Emily saw me at the treatment center her eyes lit up,” Quella shared. “Emily said, ‘You’re here for me? Just for me?’ I said, ‘Yes, just for you.’”
Through Chosen’s approach, Emily and Quella explored Emily’s past experiences and needs, helping her grow her sense of self-worth. Emily is now allowed to leave the treatment center campus, attend church, go out to eat, and go to movies. She has requested to meet with Quella once a week and continues her journey of hope and healing.
What impact can one person have on another? Read the note Emily sent Quella in Fall of 2023...
Dear Miss Quella,
I want to say that I will never forget you, and I’m mostly thankful for you. You came into my life when I was on a tight rope. You stuck out your hand and pulled me out of the deep water. You saved me. If it wasn’t for you I would be in jail or probably dead. So thank you. You’re like a mother to me, one I never had and because of you, I’m going to keep pushing no matter who cuts the rope I’m walking on. I will grab on and fight for me to keep going and living no matter what. Thank you Miss Q.
I love you,
Emily
