Defender Newsletter Issue 36

LITTLE MOMENTS, WITH LIFELONG IMPACT

The Hererra Family

When The Herrera Family opened their home to a little girl, it was amazing to see the physical and emotional changes that followed, simply from showing love and attention. At 2 years old, this little girl entered the Herrera’s home extremely shy, keeping to herself most days, and speaking very little. The Herreras showed her warmth, and showed her what it means to be in a family who cares for her. In a short amount of time, this little girl started to come out of her shell. Her daycare teachers noticed she was beginning to blossom since being with the Herreras, showing signs of less anxiety and growing her social interactions with other children. Thanks to the support and intentionality of the Herrera family, she is now smiling, speaking in full sentences, and is truly happy. It is such a beautiful example of how the proper love, care, and attention correlates to the emotional well-being of children, and it’s amazing to see how God has guided this family through a previous emotional closure to a beautiful symbol of growth!

Scholarship Success

Juana came into foster care with a little daughter and she spoke very little English. Her 4KIDS foster parents, Tamara and Gary Simmons, loved her, giving her stability and support, and eventually giving her a forever home. She has now graduated from high school, and speaks fluent English! Juana desires to pursue a nursing degree so that she can provide loving medical care to others, and she was recently awarded with a $1,000 scholarship that she plans to put towards her education and reach her goals with the confidence to know she can succeed! With the help of the Simmons Family, Juana and her daughter are breaking cycles of abuse and neglect and instead get to grow up with a loving community behind them every step of the way.