Support Our New Family
Donation protected
I am a high school English teacher in a rural Oregon community. Most of my students rely on free or reduced lunch, and many are from broken homes or have experienced trauma no child should experience. Two years ago, one such child walked into my classroom. Victor was in his fifth foster home in less than two years, and he was moving again, this time to a shelter several hours away.
I worried, as every teacher does, how this child was doing and what I could do to help. His friends hadn't heard from him, and as any parent knows, a teenager not opening their Snapchat messages is a huge deal. I talked with my husband about fostering one night and agreed to try to contact his caseworker the next day. As fate would have it, I had to check my work email that night, something I rarely do from home, and there was an email from Victor's caseworker asking if I'd consider fostering him.
Fast forward to two years later, and we have become Victor's legal guardians. He is an amazing young man who has tried so hard to get his footing in this new life and recover from all that his past has put him through. We do all we can to support him, and recently that means taking in his little brother.
Qwas is 14 and an amazing athlete. He plays basketball, and according to him, "basketball is life." Even though he's been through so much in his young life, he is smart and resilient. And he has tremendous potential just like his brother. Instead of putting him back into the state system, we thought we'd ask for some community support. This is why we've established this account.
Unfortunately, right after we took Victor into our home, I had a subarachnoid hemorrhage in my brain. This is essentially a stroke, and the medical bills came in heavy; however, I survived and was able to care for my family and students. However, recently I suffered a grand mal seizure. Unfortunately, these medical issues along with a second child have taken their toll on our finances. We are slowly rebuilding, butthe struggle continues as school begins.
Both of our children need school clothes and uniforms and all the other necessities involved in having an amazing childhood. Please help if you can.
Thank you!
I worried, as every teacher does, how this child was doing and what I could do to help. His friends hadn't heard from him, and as any parent knows, a teenager not opening their Snapchat messages is a huge deal. I talked with my husband about fostering one night and agreed to try to contact his caseworker the next day. As fate would have it, I had to check my work email that night, something I rarely do from home, and there was an email from Victor's caseworker asking if I'd consider fostering him.
Fast forward to two years later, and we have become Victor's legal guardians. He is an amazing young man who has tried so hard to get his footing in this new life and recover from all that his past has put him through. We do all we can to support him, and recently that means taking in his little brother.
Qwas is 14 and an amazing athlete. He plays basketball, and according to him, "basketball is life." Even though he's been through so much in his young life, he is smart and resilient. And he has tremendous potential just like his brother. Instead of putting him back into the state system, we thought we'd ask for some community support. This is why we've established this account.
Unfortunately, right after we took Victor into our home, I had a subarachnoid hemorrhage in my brain. This is essentially a stroke, and the medical bills came in heavy; however, I survived and was able to care for my family and students. However, recently I suffered a grand mal seizure. Unfortunately, these medical issues along with a second child have taken their toll on our finances. We are slowly rebuilding, butthe struggle continues as school begins.
Both of our children need school clothes and uniforms and all the other necessities involved in having an amazing childhood. Please help if you can.
Thank you!
Organizer
Emma Milstead
Organizer
Klamath Falls, OR
