Instead of day dreaming about dances and cheering for the
football team, high school student Michelle struggled to deal
with mental health challenges that were tearing her family apart.
She was unable to effectively communicate with her mother and
Michelle’s dangerous behavior had caused her to be placed in a
residential facility.
Michelle worked with Stanford Home to help her control her
negative behavior through individual and family therapy.
“I have a future, thanks to Stanford Home,“ says LaDauwn. LaDauwn
is a recent graduate from our wraparound program. “Growing up in
Oak Park, having a mother using drugs, no contact with my father,
my life was not easy. I’ve been abused, neglected and believed I
had no future, and I didn’t care. I’ve been told I’m nothing and
I believed it. I began using drugs, fighting and ended up
bouncing from juvenile hall to group homes with no real
connection to my family, friends, or school.
Sunday dinners at the May house might look like any other
family’s get-togethers – lots of kids, great food and laughter –
but if it weren’t for Judy, Willie and their adult son David’s
passion for fostering children, the kids in their lives might
have never known the joy and love they experience today.
Judy and Willie May, both longtime Sacramento residents, raised
their four children but the nest was never empty even after the
youngest moved out. “Our first foster child came to us 25 years
ago when our teenage sons brought a classmate home who had no
place to go,” said Judy.
When Sarah was born, her mother tested positive for narcotics and
as a newborn Sarah was often left alone in an apartment without
heating or food. At one year old, she was placed into foster care
and a year later, she was told she would be adopted by another
family. Sarah became nervous at the thought of moving again and
began exhibiting signs of aggression. She didn’t know how to
express her feelings appropriately so she began acting out
negatively.
It wasn't until 16 year-old AJ ran away from his Stockton group
home did he find his way back to permanent family. Knowing he had
an adult sister in Sacramento, AJ walked alongside the freeway
alone and in search of a better life.
His troubled past included abondonment from his mother, and the
loss of his father to a terminal coma. There was no one to care
for him.
When Brian came to Stanford Home, it was his chance to get out of
long-term, institutional care and re-establish connections with
his loving family. Brian was born with developmental
disabilities, coupled with mental and behavioral health
challenges, which led him to an early introduction to the child
welfare system. Having been removed from his home at a young age,
his parents’ hearts were broken. They simply could not handle his
challenges on their own.
Brieanna never knew she would need something as ordinary as a
kitchen appliance. “I had no idea what I would even need to start
out on my own… like I would never even think of needing a
toaster.”
While living in a group home, Brieanna didn’t spend time
wondering what she might have to have in order to live
independently. She was just trying to struggle through everyday
life. After getting in touch with Stanford Home, Brieanna was
able to reconnect with an aunt and uncle who allowed her to live
with them while she gained the skills that eventually helped her
to live on her own.
Ashlee escaped a life of instability, neglect, and abuse. Today,
she exudes confidence and wisdom beyond her 20 years.
At age 16, her mother abandoned her. She did not know her father.
Ashlee had no place to go and no family to care for her.
The rest of Ashlee’s story would not be possible without the
generosity of Stanford Home supporters. Through Stanford Home’s
Family Finding services, Ashlee rediscovered her father, who
invited her to live with him in Phoenix, Arizona.
10-year old Robert was already on his sixth foster home when he
came to Stanford Home for Children. Following regular threats to
hurt himself, Robert was always moved to a new foster home—but
“Mrs. Robertson” was different.
Though a first-time foster parent, Mrs. Robertson refused to give
up on Robert, even when he ended up in the Minor Emergency
Response Team unit of the Sacramento County Mental Health
Treatment Center for threatening to harm himself.
16-year old Myeisha was referred to Stanford Home for
Children from the Minor Emergency Response Team (MERT) unit
of the Sacramento County Mental Health Treatment Center after
being admitted against her will for being out of control and
threatening her mother with a knife.
She lived with her parents and five siblings where there was a
history of trauma and domestic violence in the home, which
Myeisha had witnessed as a young child. She had been sexually
assaulted and suffered from seizures, nightmares, hallucinations
and flashbacks.
Stanford Home is a highly professional, disciplined, and
evidence-based organization that achieves a higher success rate
with its clients than other, similar organizations.
We are intensely determined and do whatever it takes to create
success for youth – we never give up.
Stanford Home provides private donors, funders, foster parents,
and volunteers the best guarantee that they will see positive
returns on their investment of money and time.
Stanford Home for Children will be changing its name on March
26th to Stanford Youth Solutions. The new name
more clearly reflects the mission to inspire sustainable change
for young people and their families and empower them to solve
serious challenges together.
Stanford Home has been blessed with a rich and extensive history
led by a host of deeply caring contributors for more than
112 years—all focused on helping Sacramento’s young people.
As Stanford Home has evolved and adapted to the needs of the
community, its organizational brand has not changed to reflect
the modern day version of itself. Read more about our
upcoming transformation.
Thank you to the many who helped create holiday
memories for at-risk young people and their families by
taking part in Stanford Home’s Holiday Drive.
Your contributions made a difficult time for families turn into a
hopeful time. We are so grateful for such a giving community.
Special thanks to the following organizations and individuals for
your generosity:
