Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, you could find Janet Taylor, found of the BECOME Community, standing in front of a nearly empty booth spreading an important message about the foster care crisis in Texas.
We know that there are more children facing these horrific situations and so now that school is back open, we expect our numbers to increase even more dramatically.
To celebrate this unique achievement and service to the East Texas community, socials workers and members of the foster care community arranged for a surprise retirement party at her home.
The need for protective masks is greater than it has been in decades and one East Texas organization is looking to get those masks into the hands of CPS case workers.
Free, Live Stream Concert for Healthcare workers on Facebook and Instagram, led by Christian recording artist, Leeland, featuring “Way Maker,” the viral hit inspiring healthcare workers across the nation.
Navigating high school as a sophomore can be difficult. Adding in the search for a forever family can make this time in a child’s life especially stressful.
“Today is my birthday,” Madison said as her chaperone sneaked inside. What would await this birthday girl was a surprise unlike anything she’s experienced before.
“First I'm going to go into the military and then I'm going to study to become a vet or a CPS caseworker,” said Kay’Dence. “I just want to be the first girl in our family to go into the military.”
For Alex, 15, every day is an adventure. "He's just such a good boy," said Alex's foster mother Yvonne Dixon. "I got him when he was 7 years old." Dixon's role as Alex's caretaker has been especially important for his health.
Unlike many children in foster care her age, she said she's not looking for the picture-perfect family. Hannah said she wouldn't mind having a single mother or father, or even a blended family.
John, Abigail, and Bryson are three siblings with smiles warm enough to fill your heart. The way they love life, despite not having parents, is something even more inspiring.
From living in an abusive household as a toddler, to becoming Miss. Texas’ Oustanding Teen 2019, Allie Graves, 17, is proving there is nothing that can stand in the way of her goals. The Lone Star native is headed to Orlando for the Miss. America’s Outstanding Teen competition.
No matter her situation, Robin, 13, refuses to let the colors of her world fade. At Pottery Cafe Tyler, Robin was able to show us her deep passion for art. She’s been creating her own works of art since she was a young child. “I usually draw. I make art up in my safe spot in my room," said Robin.
“Family could be anyone you meet,” said Memphis. He feels strongly about that statement as he has become close to friends, teachers, and people who are not related to him by blood. When thoughts of being different than most children begin to manifest inside his head, Memphis leans on perspective.
For five children in East Texas, the search for a “forever family” is officially over. At the 2019 Gregg County Summer Adoption Day Monday, May 20, five children were adopted into three families.
As a child of the foster system for most of his life, the eighth-grader is ready for a new adventure: finding a forever family."I just want a family who loves me,” said Armani between climbs. “I really don’t want much more.”
Since 1994, “Blue Sunday” has been an opportunity for people of all faiths to pray for abused children and those who intervene to rescue them.Getting involved is as simple as asking your church leaders to pray for this cause during Sunday service on April 28th.
Daylon, 13, loves playing basketball and making friends in the foster care system. While this spirited teen knows the value of friendship, he also knows how important it is to have a family support system.
No matter where you are this weekend, an East Texas organization helping abused foster children is hosting an event you can take part in.This Saturday, Artfix Cultured Studios in Downtown Tyler is teaming up with Hope Haven of Smith County for “Stronger Together: Women Artists.”“Every dime that is
When a child is removed from a home by CPS, one of the first things they need is a bed to sleep in. Organizations like “Beds of Hope” work fill that need. According to the “Beds of Hope” Facebook page, their next event is happening Saturday, April 6th in Longview.
A new name and a new initiative is in place for an East Texas organization that has been helping children across East Texas for years. “We've been waiting a long time to be able to share this with people,” said East Texas Orphan Care Network’s Justin Hayes.
“This is not a Dallas problem, this is not a Houston problem, this is a problem everywhere,” said East Texas CASA Executive Director Shelly Smith. “Whether you talk about it or don't talk about it, it exists.”
A mission based out of Texarkana is serving the community one child at a time. The woman at the center of it all said her sights are set on transforming of the foster care system in the surrounding states.
For brothers only a year a part, their favorite pastime is a little friendly competition. Whether that be on the basketball, through a dance-off, or joking with one another, they both agree they are each other’s best friend.
Ethan remains hopeful that the bond he has with his brother and sister will never be broken by distance. “It's very important because you need to be with your siblings to have fun with them and love them,” said Ethan.
With a team behind her, there's not much Angela can't do. For this teen, her passion for basketball goes beyond some competition on the court. “I feel like when you're with a team, y'all really look out for each other,” said Angela. “So it means a lot for y'all be loyal and always have each other’s
“It's exciting,” Jonathan, 9, said as he waited for his first opportunity to put on a cooking apron at New York Pizza & Pasta Tyler. For this child of the foster system, cooking is something he doesn’t get to do often. “It makes me feel like a new kid,” said Jonathan.
Raymon, 13, isn't just fascinated by animals, he sees them much like himself. "Because some might be abused and they may need help, so I want to help them out," said Raymon.
Ahead of Adoption Awareness month in November, an East Texas teen is shedding light on the importance of the self-less act of adoption. She shared her own story of triumph over tragedy at the R4 Adoption Match Event in Canton Saturday.
For teens in protective care, the biggest fear is aging out of the system.“I already signed a contract for extended foster care so I am going to stay in CPS when I turn 18,” said La’Rey. For La'Rey, the opportunity to stay into her early twenties gives her valuable time to find the forever family
Six-year-old Benjamin is a kindergartner with a passion for life.“I wish I had another family with mom, dad, sister, brothers, all those kind of things,” said Benjamin.
For children who are unexpectedly placed in protective care, the clothes on their backs may be the only thing they have to wear for weeks to come. “They were taken in the middle of the night, I got them at 12:30 in the morning,” said the assistant director of Legacy Closet Veronica McGee.
For a young teen named Shyden, he's anything but shy. He's a 13-year-old with a clear vision of what he wants to be when he grows up. "I want to be the storm tracker," said Shyden. "I'm going to be a weather anchor and a news anchor!" The only thing missing is a family to support him.
It was an afternoon of cooking up something delicious inside the Discovery Science Center with Destiny. This 11-year-old funny, inquisitive, creative and full of imagination. Destiny is currently in the 5th grade and loves art class. "It's painting and stuff and I like to paint," Destiny said. Destiny enjoys playing games, drawing, coloring, doing crafts, skating, going swimming, playing with dolls, helping with cooking and she loves teddy bears. Destiny also likes to play...
The month of April is Child Abuse Awareness Month. Several organizations are doing their part to help our youngest victims in all sorts of ways. Every day child victims of physical and sexual abuse come through the doors of the Children's Advocacy Center of Smith County. The non-profit serves children ages birth through 17 who have been victims of physical and/or sexual abuse, witnessed a violent crime or been exposed to community violence.
