I always knew my father wasn’t much of a family man. He was in and out of prison. He would show up and then disappear for two or three years.
After I went into foster care at the age of 10, I wondered,“Why didn’t he want any part of me?” I wanted him to help me answer questions like, “Can I make it in life?” and, “What is my purpose?”
Kids at Risk
I’m not alone in missing … Read More
This story is part of Rise’s series by frontline staff at foster care agencies about their experiences working with parents.
I had been working as a case planner for about a month when I met Mr. G.
Before he walked into my office, other workers and even my supervisor told me that this father was difficult.
I’d also read up on the case and saw that in three prior court hearings he’d lashed out against the worker and his … Read More
I met my child’s mother when I was 21 and she was 22. After I got the courage to ask her out, we caught that instant connection. I had grown up in foster care, and she had come from drama, so we understood each other. Our relationship lasted for over four years and for a long time it was good.
In the last year, she became pregnant and we had a daughter. I really thought it … Read More
My kids were taken into custody in 2007. I was using meth and selling also.
I never, ever wanted to hurt my kids. I thought I loved them with all my heart.
At the time, Jayme was 2 and Sheryl was 3. My kids loved to be with me. I rode a bike with a trailer attached to the back that the kids loved to ride in. They would cry when … Read More
Child welfare came into my life in 2000. At the time, I was married with three children, ages 14, 11 and a newborn. I was also an addict.
I used anything that got me high: glue, coke, heroin, valium. I started getting high to belong with the bad guys in the neighborhood and I continued for 35 years.
Because of my drug use, I could not hold a job for long and at times I was an … Read More
