Child Spotlight: Allie’s Story

 At time when they should be consumed by the warmth and comfort of the holiday season, many children are swept away in a downward spiral of stress, fear and pain.

One such child is a 14-year-old named Allie*.  Like many children her age, Allie is interested in music, fashion and boys.  Allie appears more responsible than most kids her age and for good reason.  Due to her mother’s substance abuse, much of her childhood has been spent caring for her younger siblings, Jordan, age 10 and Claire, age 3.  She does not know her father - in fact she has never called anyone dad.  Jordan and Claire each have different fathers who have not been involved in their lives.  Despite all this, holidays were usually a special time of year for Allie.  She enjoyed having a break from school and spending time hanging out with her friends.  Allie’s mom would cook her favorite holiday meals and let her help with the baking.  A year ago all of that changed.

The weekend before Thanksgiving, Allie’s mom made a quick trip to Minnesota.  She was going to help a friend with a job, thinking it would be a good way to make some money before Christmas.  Her mom took Jordan with her so that they could get the job done quicker.  As was often the case, Claire was left in Allie’s care while her mother was away.

Allie’s mom and brother left on Friday.  Saturday morning the landlord showed up and evicted Allie and Claire from their home.  Allie begged him to wait, telling him her mom would be back Monday.  The landlord stated that they should have been out the previous week and insisted that Allie and her sister leave immediately.  Allie felt overwhelmed and helpless as she watched him throw their belongings in the yard.  Allie was so confused.  She was sure that there must have been some kind of mistake.  Claire, seeing her favorite doll lying in the mud, began sobbing.  Allie tried to gather as many things as she could in backpacks, pillowcases, and garbage bags but had no idea how to carry it or where to take it.

Allie and her sister went to the neighbor’s house to borrow their phone.  She tried to call her mom’s boyfriend, but there was no answer.  Finally, with no idea what to do or where to turn, Allie began to cry.  At last, there was a knock on the door and a lady appeared.  She introduced herself as a social worker.  Their neighbor had called Child Protective Services, and the social worker was here to take Allie and Claire to a foster home.  What was going to happen to them?  How would her mom find them?  Allie had no answers but she knew she needed to stay with Claire.  She didn’t want to lose her too.

Their mom did not show up on Monday…or Tuesday.  It wasn’t until after Thanksgiving that their mom even found out what had happened.  Allie did not get to help with the Thanksgiving baking, not that she really wanted to anyway. What was there to be thankful for?

Currently, Allie is still a foster child.  Claire is living with her father’s parents.  Allie gets to visit her every other week.  Her brother Jordan was placed in foster care with Allie because her mom ended up spending the “Christmas” money on drugs.  Allie has lived in two different foster homes this year because the first one did not have room for Jordan. Jordan keeps getting into trouble, and Allie is afraid if he doesn’t knock it off he is going to get both of them moved again, or worse, they will just move him and she will be alone.

Sadly, the actual facts associated with “Allie’s” story are much worse than the version you just read.  It’s difficult for most of us to imagine the pain many children experience this time of year.  Despite that reality, there is hope. A CASA was assigned to these children a few weeks after they came into care. He has been there through each move and through each change in their social workers and therapists. He advocated that Jordan be placed with his sister and pushed for frequent visits between Claire and her older siblings. He has been their friend, advocate and voice in court and is committed to remaining on their case until they are securely placed in a permanent home. 

*Names have been changed and facts have been altered to protect the identity of the parties involved.