Help our 5 Kids get to Summer Day Camp
Donation protected
My name is Danielle Goodwin and I am a 34 year old mother of five children. I am seeking help to get my children to go to 11 week day camp over the summer; as my husband will be starting a new job full time. We need to raise money to help us get them safe and adequate care over the summer. If you choose to read my story and donate to our cause "Thank you".
My life from the beginning wasn't easy and it may even be difficult for you to read about. I encourage you to stay with me until the end to witness how Good God is and how he can turn any test into a testimony.
I was raised in a state of turmoil and at age 10 I was introduced into a life of intravenous drug use and prostitution by age 14. My first daughter was conceived as a result of being sexually assaulted I did not know how to cope with this pregnancy. I was left with no support and filled with guilt and shame. As a result I used heavily throughout my pregnancy and my daughter and I were placed in foster care. I ran away from the foster home soon after giving birth and my daughter was adopted.
At the age of 16 I desperately wanted to be loved,but instead found myself with men who led me to life of sex-trafficking.
This life left me with no love for myself and therefore there was no way for me to know how to care for any of the children that I gave birth to; drugs and alcohol were my only escape and they only way of coping with the life that I knew.
I knew there was a God and I continually cried out to Him to
save me from what my life had become. I also gave birth to and lost my 2nd 3rd 4th & 5th child to the foster care system. This loss crippled me emotionally. It was like having my children kidnapped and I had no idea how to cope!
Several years later, I was walking around aimlessly lost in state of confusion and pain in a Pay Less Shoe Store and had pretty much given up all hope that I could or would recover- the clerk approached me and said, "•You look like you need a prayer girl, can I pray for you? I believe this was the beginning of my recovery; after this I believe God continually put people into my life that would help me find my road to recovery. This road to recovery was not easy, however. It took several more relapses, a month long hospitalization in Harborview where I was told I would die if I continued to use at the rate I was, and jail time. Finally after being arrested on my last drug charge I was offered drug court and CPS partnered with the drug diversion court to help get me on a path of recovery and get me successfully reunited with my last 3 children.
My now husband became one of the people who held my hand through early stages of recovery, encouraged me to get necessary services which would lead to my children coming home. In looking for positive support we also joined Overcomer Covenant Church and were later married by our Pastors. OCC has continued to be instrumental in providing mentorship and support that continues to be evident in our lives today.
I also graduated Drug Court and Dependency Court; I was honored to receive a Certificate of Achievement in 2009 from Commissioner Elizabeth Castilleja, who gave me back my children. The award states:
"Danielle Goodwin has achieved a successful reunification with her children by demonstrating a willingness to strive for excellence in parenting and the ability to overcome adversity while pursuing her goal".
Getting my children back was a blessing and I wish I could have done so with my first 2 kids who ended up being adopted. We treasure being a healthy family. We not only care for 3 my children but have been recognized by many officials for our transformation and was asked to begin caring for our niece and nephew while their parents attempt recovery - these children were placed in our care full time last year and we have done very well with all the transitions and children are thriving.
My life used to be literally a living hell. Today, I am a healthy clean and sober mother and wife. God has given me my life back and more. I am no longer a victim, but a victor who has defied all odds.
I now volunteer in the community by mentoring child welfare involved parents through the same Dependency Court which used to overwhelm me. I am using both my personal experiences and my professional insight to encourage parents to do the necessary services required to overcome the issues which led them to have their children removed and to reunite their families.
I also serve on Washington State Parent Advocacy Committee www.wspan.org
King County Parent Advocacy Committee, and ChildHaven Parent Advisory Committee. Through these committees, I advocate for the reform of local agencies and state policy regarding children and families; I share my story with legislators and community members in order for them to better understand the struggles of families in the child welfare system. I also advocate for survivors of Sex Trafficking by sharing my story and raising community awareness.
My husband has recently been hired full time at Valley Cities Counseling as Peer Support Specialist assisting a population transitioning out of jail. I have worked in Child and Family Services as a Parent Partner at Valley Cities for 1 year and celebrate 5 yrs. sobriety on June 3rd . I have also successfully reunited with the two children who were adopted and building a relationship with each of them and adoptive parents.
We desire to give hope that was given to us in a hopeless situation "“ to help people change, and families reunite.
In the process we have come across one barrier: Finding the funding to send all five of our children to Day Camp over the summer for 11 weeks. Each child costs $146.00 per week to attend. Summer is 11 weeks long and we appreciate all who will help us meet this goal for the most important people in our lives: Our Children.
My life from the beginning wasn't easy and it may even be difficult for you to read about. I encourage you to stay with me until the end to witness how Good God is and how he can turn any test into a testimony.
I was raised in a state of turmoil and at age 10 I was introduced into a life of intravenous drug use and prostitution by age 14. My first daughter was conceived as a result of being sexually assaulted I did not know how to cope with this pregnancy. I was left with no support and filled with guilt and shame. As a result I used heavily throughout my pregnancy and my daughter and I were placed in foster care. I ran away from the foster home soon after giving birth and my daughter was adopted.
At the age of 16 I desperately wanted to be loved,but instead found myself with men who led me to life of sex-trafficking.
This life left me with no love for myself and therefore there was no way for me to know how to care for any of the children that I gave birth to; drugs and alcohol were my only escape and they only way of coping with the life that I knew.
I knew there was a God and I continually cried out to Him to
save me from what my life had become. I also gave birth to and lost my 2nd 3rd 4th & 5th child to the foster care system. This loss crippled me emotionally. It was like having my children kidnapped and I had no idea how to cope!
Several years later, I was walking around aimlessly lost in state of confusion and pain in a Pay Less Shoe Store and had pretty much given up all hope that I could or would recover- the clerk approached me and said, "•You look like you need a prayer girl, can I pray for you? I believe this was the beginning of my recovery; after this I believe God continually put people into my life that would help me find my road to recovery. This road to recovery was not easy, however. It took several more relapses, a month long hospitalization in Harborview where I was told I would die if I continued to use at the rate I was, and jail time. Finally after being arrested on my last drug charge I was offered drug court and CPS partnered with the drug diversion court to help get me on a path of recovery and get me successfully reunited with my last 3 children.
My now husband became one of the people who held my hand through early stages of recovery, encouraged me to get necessary services which would lead to my children coming home. In looking for positive support we also joined Overcomer Covenant Church and were later married by our Pastors. OCC has continued to be instrumental in providing mentorship and support that continues to be evident in our lives today.
I also graduated Drug Court and Dependency Court; I was honored to receive a Certificate of Achievement in 2009 from Commissioner Elizabeth Castilleja, who gave me back my children. The award states:
"Danielle Goodwin has achieved a successful reunification with her children by demonstrating a willingness to strive for excellence in parenting and the ability to overcome adversity while pursuing her goal".
Getting my children back was a blessing and I wish I could have done so with my first 2 kids who ended up being adopted. We treasure being a healthy family. We not only care for 3 my children but have been recognized by many officials for our transformation and was asked to begin caring for our niece and nephew while their parents attempt recovery - these children were placed in our care full time last year and we have done very well with all the transitions and children are thriving.
My life used to be literally a living hell. Today, I am a healthy clean and sober mother and wife. God has given me my life back and more. I am no longer a victim, but a victor who has defied all odds.
I now volunteer in the community by mentoring child welfare involved parents through the same Dependency Court which used to overwhelm me. I am using both my personal experiences and my professional insight to encourage parents to do the necessary services required to overcome the issues which led them to have their children removed and to reunite their families.
I also serve on Washington State Parent Advocacy Committee www.wspan.org
King County Parent Advocacy Committee, and ChildHaven Parent Advisory Committee. Through these committees, I advocate for the reform of local agencies and state policy regarding children and families; I share my story with legislators and community members in order for them to better understand the struggles of families in the child welfare system. I also advocate for survivors of Sex Trafficking by sharing my story and raising community awareness.
My husband has recently been hired full time at Valley Cities Counseling as Peer Support Specialist assisting a population transitioning out of jail. I have worked in Child and Family Services as a Parent Partner at Valley Cities for 1 year and celebrate 5 yrs. sobriety on June 3rd . I have also successfully reunited with the two children who were adopted and building a relationship with each of them and adoptive parents.
We desire to give hope that was given to us in a hopeless situation "“ to help people change, and families reunite.
In the process we have come across one barrier: Finding the funding to send all five of our children to Day Camp over the summer for 11 weeks. Each child costs $146.00 per week to attend. Summer is 11 weeks long and we appreciate all who will help us meet this goal for the most important people in our lives: Our Children. Organizer
Danielle Goodwin
Organizer
