By MACY WEATHERFORD/Staff Writer
Editor’s Note: The name of this interviewee has been changed for privacy reasons.
She couldn’t help but lie. The label of being the “foster kid” felt humiliating and unwanted. Passed around from one house to another, she refused to call them homes. They were just places lacking the warmth and love that defines a true home.
Each dwelling felt crowded: suffused not with care, but with animosity. These transient spaces, once filled with the essence of shattered family memories, now echoed with the sorrow and heartbreak of countless children who had crossed their limits.
Foster children can relate to feeling unwanted and unloved. These children aspire to be part of what a normal family should feel like.
The issue of the foster care system plagues today’s society and has negative effects.
In regards to youth aging out of foster care each year, according to the Department of Family and Protective Services,
- 25% will experience homelessness.
- 50% will be unemployed by age 24.
- 71% of girls will become single moms by the age of 21.
- 64% of boys will be incarcerated.
- 42% will not graduate high school.
- 97% will not earn a college degree.
HOPE HAVEN OF EAST TEXAS
While many young adults face these issues on a daily basis, non profit organizations such as Hope Haven of East Texas to help reduce these effects.
Hope Haven is a Christian based non-profit organization in Tyler, devoted to supporting girls who have experienced trauma from abuse and/or neglect. They work with foster and adoptive families to care for girls who have gone through tough experiences. Their aim is to break the cycle of trauma.
Hope Haven has three programs. Gateway of Hope is one of the residential homes that provides counseling, safety and love to help them heal. Oak Haven is a supervised independent living for young women who have left foster care, where they learn life skills. Lastly, there is an emergency care home that takes kids who urgently need a safe place.
“We exist because we believe that every child deserves a safe and loving home and the chance to reach their full potential,” said Jamie Sanders, executive director of Hope Haven. “That’s our mission, no matter the child’s age, no matter the child’s background or experiences, we believe that a safe and loving home environment is something that is necessary to help any child develop into a healthy adult.”
Monica White is 18 and is about to transition from the Gateway of Hope Home to Oak Haven Home. She is very excited to be transitioning to Oak Haven in order to have more of an opportunity for people to invest in her and to have more of an independent living situation.
“In foster care, I struggled personally with getting along with people, especially adults. Adults always wanted to adopt me, but I didn’t want to be adopted. I am very independent, so it was really hard when they would get upset and take their anger out on me because of something that I didn’t want,” White said.
When White was growing up, she was traumatized and abused, but she does not let that stop her from showing joy to others.
She strongly believes that without the support of Hope Haven, she would be lost, and is grateful for their guidance and support.
“Hope Haven has taught me valuable life skills, like applying for jobs and building my resume,” White said. “As a first-generation individual, I lacked knowledge in these areas, but the educated adults at Hope Haven, each with unique expertise, were incredibly supportive. I’m truly grateful for their guidance.”
White explained that being in foster care has numerous challenges when it comes to administrative aspects like getting a driver’s license or a photo ID. However, White believes that Hope Haven became the right place for her, “offering guidance and teaching skills that regular foster homes often couldn’t provide.”
“Hope Haven took proactive steps to address these issues, offering crucial support. I’m incredibly grateful because not all places provide such assistance. I was worried about applying for colleges and navigating essential life skills that I missed out on in previous placements,” she said.
Hope Haven believes mentorship is pivotal. Many girls that they support have never experienced healthy relationships.
Miles Morrison, the director of Community Partnership, said, “Our commitment involves ensuring their immediate needs are met such as shelter, a safe home, food, transportation, medical care, and counseling. Beyond the essentials, it’s about being there in the tough moments, engaging in meaningful conversations, offering support through life’s challenges, and providing constant care, 24/7.”
FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATION
“At our core, we’re a faith-based organization rooted in Christ’s love. We want every child to understand they’re deeply valued by God, offering them the love and hope found in the Gospel. It’s about showing them they’re cherished and guiding them towards a brighter future,” Sanders said.
Sanders said that every girl who comes to Hope Haven will have gospel seeds planted in their life. She hopes that every girl will be able to recognize that they have been loved by Christ and will eventually be drawn into a relationship with Him.
“Many of the women working at Hope Haven are incredibly supportive and motivational. They’re always offering encouragement and guidance, providing constant speeches that help us focus on self-improvement. They’re not just about giving lectures; they genuinely work alongside us. Some of us don’t attend church regularly, but the staff ensures we have support by arranging volunteers to take us. They’re a positive force, especially during tough times, offering unwavering support and assistance,” White said.
Having faith in Christ is not a requirement, but the gospel is clearly presented and available.
“We don’t always see the kids that we serve come to know Christ. We love them all. But our prayer is that, during their time with us, those seeds are planted, and that God, in His timing and in His way, will bring that full circle,” Sanders said.
PARTNERSHIP
Their strong belief lies in collaborative efforts with parents, organizations and churches. Their initiatives involve working closely with churches, aiming to develop training programs for child trauma care and fostering public engagement.
Hope Haven’s partnership with Southern Oaks Baptist Church resulted in repurposing a house into an independent living facility. This facility supports girls transitioning out of foster care as they prepare for independence.
“Our community partnerships, especially with churches, are crucial. They support us financially, provide homes for programs, and foster relationships that help our kids thrive. Businesses, foundations and individuals also play vital roles, contributing grants, items and connections to further our mission,” Sanders said.
SUCCESS STORIES
Hope Haven sees successes in helping the girls catch up on education after years of instability. Seeing them graduate or get caught up on credits is a huge win.
“Success for us means helping a girl heal and grow to the point where she can thrive in a new family or be reunited with relatives. Each time a teenager finds a loving adoption placement, it’s a significant victory,” Sanders said.
“Recently, a young girl is moving on from Hope Haven after several years with us. She came to us after facing numerous failed placements, marked by constant rejection. During her time here, she found stability and a sense of home, initially in our Lindale residence and later at Oak Haven. Now, she’s preparing to move into her own apartment, a testament to the progression from instability to independence. We’ve provided her with the support she needed to make this transition,” Morrison said.
Sanders, too, had a story to add: “Last year a girl came to us and had only three high school credits despite being a senior due to a tumultuous family situation. Through our support and the help of volunteers and a partnered church, she graduated, entered college, found a job, and discovered solace in faith. Her story is a testament to overcoming adversity and finding strength in the face of hardship,” she said.
THE IMPACT
The impact of Hope Haven is not limited to administrators. Far from it, in fact: for people like White, Hope Haven has the potential to change a life.
“Hope Haven’s support has shaped my understanding of a healthy lifestyle. For many of us arriving here, we lacked the knowledge of basic household functioning. The guidance on managing essentials like food, water, and maintaining cleanliness has been invaluable,” White said.
