Doug, Madison, WI
CCR has never let us down in the 4 years we have been licensed with them.
Lucas is 17 and has spent the last 8 years in and out of foster care, bouncing between homes and schools.
We welcomed him into our home almost 2 years ago. It's been his longest placement yet.
When he arrived, he was angry, disconnected, and not interested in meeting another new foster family. Who could blame him?
He was barely getting by in school and had no interests but staring at his phone.
Talking with him was difficult. He spoke to our Golden Retriever more than he spoke to us. And he answered most of our questions with a single word.
Meals were awkward and quiet. And he asked permission for everything.
Can I have a glass of water?
Is it okay if I take a shower?
Do you mind if I grab a napkin?
The first few months took some adjusting. He was used to having very little freedom, and we were all figuring out how to make things work together.
He was safe, with people who chose to help him. That meant he could let his guard down.
We showed up, listened, and advocated for him. That built some trust.
We learned how to back off and when to push him farther. He welcomed the challenges.
In time, he began to open up. Let us in.
He relaxed and became part of our family.
Before coming here, he went to school, but he didn't take ownership of his learning.
He didn't know how.
He never learned how to participate, get organized, let alone study.
He just showed up.
Sat in a building for 7 hours. Waiting for the bell to ring.
He came here with a 1.1 GPA. Truth be told, he didn't know what a GPA was. Never heard of it.
We started slow.
He was going to school every day. On time. He wasn't always happy about it, but he went.
We helped him get organized, figure out how to keep track of assignments, study for tests. There was a lot he had never learned about being a student. He didn't know how much work needed to happen outside the classroom to be successful.
He is incredibly smart. He just didn't know it.
Nor did he care.
He is showing interest in certain classes. His grades continue to improve. He is figuring out how to get his work done, and graduation is actually within reach.
We didn't see this coming. Honestly, neither did he.
We aren't sure exactly what his path will be after graduation.
But he is on track to graduate with a much improved GPA!
He will have options.
He talks about trade school, possibly welding.
He likes working with his hands and is detail oriented. Not surprisingly, he prefers to work alone.
We will be here to help him navigate his path, no matter what he chooses.
But the obvious point is that he will have choices.
He has a good relationship with his therapist. He says, she is the best one he's ever had.
There's a lot of trauma to unpack. Lots of history and memories to work through. But he says, she's nice and doesn't push him too hard.
I know she has reached parts of him he had shut down long ago.
It's a miracle Lucas is here at all. He is a survivor.
It is highly unlikely he will reunite with his family prior to his 18th birthday or graduation.
So we are here for him. He will graduate. He will have choices.
And he will always have a home here.
