*Names have been changed for client privacy.*
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Over the past two months, we have been bringing you the story of Lanie and her daughter Tara, who found hope at Casa de Esperanza thanks to the support of the community and people like you. If you missed it, click here to catch up on their story. The focus of Casa de Esperanza is, first and foremost, the safety of the children in our care. We are unique, however, in our ability to provide the intense casework services to birth families while their children are in placement. Tara's mother, Lanie, came to Casa de Esperanza with many needs. Once Tara was safely living in the Casa de Esperanza Neighborhood, Lanie could begin to focus on herself. The casework department developed a Plan of Service to help Lanie obtain the skills and services she would need to successfully parent and live with Tara in the future. The first priority was to address Lanie’s mental health needs and help her access medical care. Lanie also needed resources to assist her with food and housing. Casa de Esperanza provided Lanie with transportation assistance to get her to her appointments, helped her pick up her prescribed medications, and assisted her as she navigated the often-complicated systems housing the resources available to her. Lanie received help with completing her application paperwork for Social Security Income, TANF (commonly referred to as Food Stamps) and a housing program she qualified for because she had aged out of foster care. At the same time, Lanie was asked to complete parenting classes and comply with random drug screens. Because of the lack of appropriate parenting she experienced as a child, Lanie struggled with parenting herself - not in her desire to be a parent, but in knowing how to do so. She was also leery of anyone with the title of caseworker or social worker and equally distrustful of any agency or system. Lanie and Tara's Casa de Esperanza caseworkers worked together to build trust with Lanie. Through visits with Tara and post-visit discussions with her caseworker, Lanie grew more comfortable in her role as a parent. Over time Lanie became less defensive and more willing to work toward reaching the goals on her Plan of Service and reuniting with Tara. |
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11 months after Lanie placed Tara at Casa de Esperanza, Lanie and Tara were ready to live together as a family again. Lanie had her own apartment through a housing program that assists young adult who aged out of foster care. She continued to maintain her mental health and completed all of her services. Tara had grown and developed and was at a healthy weight for her age. Tara successfully completed her occupational therapy goals, and her speech services were transferred so she continued to receive services in her home with her mother. Lanie and Tara continue to do well and stay connected to Casa de Esperanza through our Aftercare program. Tara’s caregivers miss her but know that the love and care they gave her allowed a family to stay together. Lanie knows that help or a listening ear are only a phone call away. Through the generous support of the Houston community and our donors, Casa de Esperanza was able to step in and successfully stabilize and reunite the family, and better prepare them for their life ahead. Lanie, who was once so hesitant to trust, has since referred a friend of hers to Casa de Esperanza for help. It is one of the greatest complements we can receive from our clients. |