As the weather grows colder, and the holiday season approaches, we are reminded of warmth, family, and festive gatherings. We are also reminded that there are over 4,000 children living in foster care in our local community that may be experiencing a lot of emotions during the holidays, including grief and loss of family. Children who need our help. Children like Darla.

Darla’s father died of gang-related violence when she was a toddler. Soon afterward, her mother’s substance abuse led to involvement with the criminal justice system. That’s when Child Protective Services placed Darla in foster care. But the uncertainty and trauma didn’t end there. By the time she was in fifth grade, Darla had been moved between four foster homes and three school districts.

As a result of the past trauma that she experienced, Darla struggled socially and academically. She could vacillate between being quiet and withdrawn and lashing out in anger. In junior high, she began skipping school and getting into trouble. Soon she was moved again, this time into a group home. At that point, she was referred to Stanford Sierra Youth & Families, where she began meeting with Amy, a Stanford Sierra social worker. Amy took the time to understand what Darla had been through, where she was now, and, when she was ready to talk about it, what she might want for her future.

At Stanford Sierra Youth & Families, we identify families like Maggie and Carson Littlefield, who are willing and able to open their heart and home to a youth in foster care. Like Darla, Maggie had spent most of her childhood in foster care. But at age 15, Maggie had been adopted by a family who loved and supported her unconditionally. Maggie credits her family with helping her graduate high school, enroll in college, and, most importantly, learn how to give and accept love with healthy boundaries. When it came time to start a family of her own, Maggie wanted to give back. She and Carson contacted Stanford Sierra Youth & Families.

Amy told Darla that she knew a young couple that Darla might want to meet, if she was interested. She was, so Amy arranged for all of them to meet at nearby park one day. The meeting went well. Maggie asked Darla if she had a favorite subject in school. Music class, Darla said, where she was able to play guitar, and PE because she liked to play softball. Darla and the Littlefields continued to meet. They went out for pizza, to the Old Sacramento waterfront, and to the batting cages not far from where the Littlefields lived. One day, Darla told Amy that she wished she could have parents like Maggie and Carson.

Today, Darla lives with Maggie and Carson. Their adoption is expected to be finalized early next year. Amy helped find them a tutor and behavioral health support for Darla, who still struggles with her temper from time to time. But she understands the consequences of her actions, and she’s improved her grades enough to join her high school softball team. Journeys like Darla’s and the Littlefields can take time and be marked by challenges. Stanford Sierra Youth & Families is there to see them through.

As a community-based organization, this work is truly a community effort. Together, we are making life-changing differences for the youth and families we serve every day. Thank you for caring about local youth in foster care!

*Names have been changed to protect confidentiality.