Life in foster care was confusing and disorienting for 13-year-old Emily. She was in a new school, new home with foster siblings she didn’t know and new rules. She was lonely and frightened and didn’t know what her future might hold.
Emily’s CASA volunteer Kimberly began visiting her, listening to her concerns and fears and considering what would be best for a teenager who could no longer go home.
Emily’s father could not be located despite a diligent search by Child Protective Services investigators. She had no family able to take in a 13-year-old girl, and her mother’s rights were terminated by the court. At 13, Emily needed a new family.
Kimberly knew Emily well, after months of visiting her, texting with her and spending time together. She knew Emily needed clear boundaries after chaos in her home life prior to CPS involvement. But she also knew Emily needed lots of love to heal the wounds of her heart. She needed the right home.
CPS invited Kimberly to assist in reviewing potential adoptive homes. They went through binder after binder of adoptive families, looking for just the right match.
A young couple from out of state, the Johnsons, stood out to both Kimberly and CPS. They had no children, lots of energy and wanted to add a teenager to their home. It seemed like the Johnsons could handle an active teenager with both love and structure.
Slowly, CPS and Kimberly helped Emily get to know the Johnsons. They started with a phone call, then a FaceTime session so Emily could see their home. Then the Johnsons came to visit Emily in Dallas. Phone calls and FaceTime sessions grew more frequent and regular, and Emily’s excitement grew. The match felt right from the start, so CPS proposed Emily move in for a trial period with the Johnsons.
Once Emily moved in with the Johnsons, Kimberly was able to stay in touch via FaceTime. Emily gave Kimberly a virtual tour of the house, showed off some new gymnastics moves she’d learned and the new pet mouse she had. At Halloween, she put on her costume and chatted with Kimberly about her plans. On her foster dad’s birthday, she proudly showed Kimberly the telescope she and her foster mom had picked out.
Emily pushed back against rules she’d never had before. She had to earn social media privileges and allow the Johnsons to check her phone – things she was not used to. The Johnsons provided guidance and clear boundaries, and when Emily was grounded she learned to follow their rules and re-earned her privileges. She made friends, started to do well in school and joined a gymnastics team.
Last fall, Emily and the Johnsons decided together to make the arrangement permanent. Emily is now Emily Johnson, and the family of three is thrilled. Kimberly was able to watch Emily grow from a frightened, confused young girl into a confident 13-year-old back with the support of parents who love her.
Last Christmas, when they FaceTimed, Emily showed Kimberly a new Christmas ornament she’d made. On it was written “Mom, Dad, Emily.”
