Keep them out of Foster Care!!

Trisha Burns is organizing this fundraiser.

Donation protected

This is my last resort. Something I don't do well is ask for help. I am at a point in this journey where I have no other choice.

Most of you know that almost 2 years ago I got a call to come to Florida to pick up my nieces and nephew. I was assured that it was all a huge mistake and their parents would be here to pick them up in a few days. Here we are 1 year and 9 months later and the children are still with me. Needless to say all of our lives have changed tremendously.

There is a technicality in our case that is keeping me from getting assistance with the children. It's all because my sister was standing there when the DCF worker called me and also that I made it to Florida within 24hrs. I know now why he had me rush, if I got there within 24hrs then he didn't have to open a formal case with the children. Also, since the parents were standing there they are considered "parent placed". This is hindering me from getting kinship care. The only way to get kinship care is to be a family member taking the children out of state custody or foster care (it doesn't matter that I took them directly out of a crack house) since neither of these happened I cannot get help.

The kids are very happy with me. The girls even call me Mama. We have all grown so much together. We all love each other very much..

I was already a single mom of 2 children. Adding 3 more has put a true hardship on me. I have exhausted all other avenues. I have spent everything I ever saved and taken as many loans that I can. We are struggling. Every day the kids "need" something at school and I have to tell them that I can't.

I was ready to give up a few weeks ago. I feel like I have done everything that I can do. My biggest fear has come to me with a vengeance. Pain and guilt stricken, I don't know what to do. Then my sister has come to her senses and decided she's ready. She's ready to get well after her 2 years of giving into the life clinching disease of addiction. She called, she's here and she's in treatment. This only says to me "Don't give up now, Trisha. She may be really serious!" But how? How do I keep us up any longer? Is it too late for this opportunity? What do I do?? There is only one thing I can do..... ASK FOR HELP!!

All pride aside, I am asking friends and family to help us. If we can raise enough to stay above water for a few more months then maybe my sister will be well enough to start mending her relationship with the children. God willing!

What are we going to do with the money we raise you may ask..... We are going to pay rent, utilities, buy winter clothes, coats and shoes, 2 new tire for the "swagger wagon"(cause we don't call it a minivan)before winter is here, buy chorus uniforms and vocab books. The list could go on and on of the "mama, I needs"s. You know you are in a rough spot when the words "Mama, we are out of shampoo." makes you cringe.

Any contribution will help us reach our goal. Please help me keep the children from having to go to foster care where the state would pay someone else to take care of them but not promise to keep them together and take them away from family. I will never understand it but I guess rules are rules.

Like I said, you guys are my only hope. If I had only asked for a nickel everytime someone has said to us "Let me know if I can help" over the past almost 2 years, we may be just fine right now. I am asking for help friends!

If you are unable to contribute at this time I completely understand. All I ask is that you keep us in your prayers. Leave us a message and let us know you are praying for us.