Can We Go Home with You?

On December 16, I took my last final for the law school semester. I was so excited to go home and watch Netflix until it asked me I was still there after watching 3 episodes of the X-Files in a row (Yes I'm still watching. Stop judging me Netflix).

Instead, Safe Place tugged on my heart and I filled an overnight shift at our facility. It was, of course, much better than watching Scully and Mulder all evening :)

Two little girls were pulled less than two weeks away from Christmas. They had been homeless, living in a car full of filth and drugs with a mother who was entrenched in the disease of addiction. They came to us with dirty clothes that were completely seasonally inappropriate - shorts and strappy tanks. I was not surprised when they said they didn't have coats, and were stoked to get new flannel jammies.

I came around bedtime and got to read stories, turn on night lights, and tuck in two amazing girls. The oldest was too anxious to sleep and wanted to ask me some questions.

"What's going to happen to us?"

"Is someone going to adopt us? My Aunt said she would, but then she changed her mind...so we had to go live in a car."

"Where will we be on Christmas?"

"You're a foster mom? Can we please come home with you? We'll be good."

I'm good at answering the hard questions. I've dealt with kids asking when they can go home when I know their dad committed suicide. I have had to tell a 12 year-old that her baby brother, whom she's been the sole provider for, would be going to a different home than her.

This last question though, cut me right through to my core. "Can we go home with you? We'll be good."

I wanted to say "Yes!" and grab them both up and run away. I knew I couldn't though - we weren't even licensed yet and we were only in the process of licensing for one up to five years old. I said the next best thing: "I can't take you home with me, friend. But you get to stay here at Safe Place with your sister until we find the best home for you." This seemed to be exactly what she needed to hear. Her anxiety visibly lessened, and she said "Thank you. We like it here."

Our two friends stayed with us for several nights. They attended two Christmas parties, read in the light of our Safe Place Christmas tree, and got to pick out a heap of new winter clothing. We spoiled them :) Their stay with us enabled their social worker to find a home for them - together, and long-term to boot.

Safe Place is certainly living up to its name. Usually the kids we have do not want to leave our facility - they ask if they can just stay there forever. Our faithful volunteers and generous financial contributions from our community make it possible to care for hundreds of children each year.

I know that it's not possible for everyone to be a foster parent, volunteer at Safe Place, or contribute financially. You can still help :) Hand in Hand is currently in the running for a $25,000 grant from Windermere. Their local office has been a huge support for us! The best part of the Charity Challenge is that you, our awesome supporters, just need to push a button once a day to vote for us! That's it!

Here's the link (it's a Facebook poll): Windermere Charity Challenge

You can vote for us once a day, and we appreciate every vote we get! Your participation could potentially help us take care of more precious little ones at Safe Place. Every vote and Facebook "share" aids us tremendously. YOU are making a difference in the lives of local foster children. Thank you!