Victory #1: Our Tiny Tim: a true story

When PCV foster care social worker Sue Reitsma first took Glen to the P. home, he was a tiny boy who, at six months, weighed only 11 pounds. The P's later discovered he had also suffered a broken shoulder. His short life had been rough, to say the least, and "failure to thrive” summarized a whole range of neglect he had encountered. At the time, he was also diagnosed with cerebral palsy.

Jan and her husband Bruce were experienced with foster children, but their new child, then named Glen, was the most challenging so far. Jan despaired of the legalities of the child welfare system that could keep a child in a nightmarish limbo, uncertain of a safe, permanent home—literally for years. In fact, the P's had previously worked with two girls who between them had been in 18 foster homes by the time they were 17 years old.

Dr. Paul McIlhenny, a psychiatrist with the Village for many years, monitored Tim's case as it moved slowly through the courts. He observes that the goal is generally for reunification with the biological family. This process can become "endlessly painful” when the biological relationship doesn't improve and the foster family becomes increasingly attached to the child. That a foster family has more to offer a child cannot be a deciding factor, though the courts weigh parental rights against the welfare of the child. Dr. McIlhenny adds, "Helping children make sense of all this is very stressful. They need a very supportive atmosphere. It's a miracle that families hang in there."

In Glen's case, the court required visits with his biological mother until he was 7, when the court decided to release him for adoption. He suffered from nightmares and refused to use the name his biological mother had given him. Meanwhile, the P family, including their three biological children, continued to embrace and love Tim, as he had begun to call himself. On the day his adoption was final, at age 8, he made his self-appointed name official as well: Timothy Bruce P. Tim and his family celebrated with a huge party that included his social workers from PCV, his whole class and teachers. That was not the absolute end to his nightmares, but it marked a point of diminishing impact from that point forward.

Tim is now (in 2011) a senior in Food Science at Penn State, taking after his adoptive father whose family has been in the ice cream ingredients business for several generations. President of the Food Science Society (the student affiliate of the professional group) at Penn State, Tim recently completed a study abroad experience in Italy and an internship with Otten's flavors. In addition to his studies, he has nurtured a love of the outdoors and has become an ardent mentor to youth.

Tim is not hesitant to talk about his past, eager to express his love and appreciation to his family and those at Presbyterian Children's Village for helping him through a transformational experience. "You and Dad saved my life,” he tells them. "If not for you, I'd have been in jail or dead by now.” [In fact, One of Glen/Tim's biological siblings is now deaf and blind, institutionalized as a result of abusive treatment.] Tim's adoptive siblings are not only close and mutually supportive, but one of the adult children and his wife have adopted a special needs child.

In addition to much assistance through the traumatic first eight years, PCV has provided a modest stipend each year to assist with Tim's college expenses, thanks to the foresight and commitment of several donors. These scholarships are made possible through legacy gifts and are available to any child who has received services through PCV. These children most often have been in foster care, residential treatment, or adoptive services with PCV.

This was Jan's update sent to Darlene Hewett, PCV President and CEO, January 26, 2011.

Darlene, I want you… to know that Tim got a job with Dannon yogurt. They found him on the web for students graduating from the Penn State food science program. They…sent a person to interview him at Penn State and they flew him to Texas to be interviewed by 6 of the top people. They called Wed. and offered him the job. We cannot believe what young people make starting out. He will be in a new plant that will open in July. Tim will be in the science department, developing new products [in White Plains, NY]. When Bruce talked to him and told him how much we loved him and how proud we were of him he said, "Dad I would never be the person I am without you." I just want you to know how thankful we are for … PCV and all the time you spent to work it out for us to adopt Tim.,,, You have all been a blessing to us.

Thanks,
Jan P

Victory #2: Philadelphia 76ers Honor PCV Foster Care Parents

Presbyterian Children's Village nominated two of its foster care parents for the "Hometown Hero Award" from the Philadelphia 76ers, and the 76ers agreed with our choice! These deserving foster parents, among many with whom the Village works, received recognition at the 76ers home game on January 21, 2008.

"Aunt" Jesse and "Uncle" Mike have been foster parents with the Village for over two years. Because she herself had been a foster child, Jesse knows what it is like to grow up in the "system." With a special fondness for children who are difficult to place, Jesse and Mike are currently working with the Village as Treatment Foster Parents for four children. The children, all 13- and 14-year-old boys, present a number of behavioral challenges at home and school, including trouble with respecting authority figures and histories of fighting, stealing, and lying. The boys have been through several unsuccessful placements and were looking for a place to call "home."

Aunt Jesse says, "The children need consistent, no nonsense, supportive caregivers who are willing to love them unconditionally, to let them know that, no matter what they do or have done, they have the right to be kids and to live life to its fullest. What is more important is that we have lived up to our word and the boys are all feeling safe, cared for, and are a real part of this family. We love each child as if he were our own."

The couple comments that they have the "best team," referring to the PCV social workers and therapists who are involved in their children's lives. It is clear that, through the hard-work and support of foster parents such as Jesse and Mike, children who have been through extreme challenges in their lives can learn to feel accepted and loved as important family members. PCV is privileged to have parents like Jesse and Mike as an integral part of the Treatment Foster Care Team and considers them real winners!

Victory #3: Union League's Good Citizenship Award

The Good Citizenship Award, presented by the Union League of Philadelphia, has always carried with it a special recognition of good citizenship in youth and the promise of future leadership development both in business and professional endeavors.

Each year, with the help of 53 selected youth agencies, 290 young men and women are named to receive the League's Good Citizenship Award. The youth are chosen without regard to race, color, creed, gender, or political background, but must have demonstrated marked evidence of good citizenship.
In 2007, Presbyterian Children's Village was proud to announce that SCOH (Services for Children in their Own Homes) program student, Natalie, received a Good Citizenship Award and is on her way to becoming an outstanding young leader in her community.

Fifteen years old and in the tenth grade, Natalie attends West Philadelphia High School and is an honor student achieving A's and B's. Winning this award enables Natalie to apply for the Union League College Scholarship during her senior in high school through the Scholarship Foundation of the Union League of Philadelphia. Always thinking ahead, she is already preparing for college by enrolling in the SAT prep course. Additionally, Natalie is pursuing an internship at Fox Chase Cancer Research Institute and is interested in a career in prenatal nursing. Annually, through the financial support of Youth Work, 25 applicants receive grants of $1,000 which can be renewed each year for a maximum grant of $4,000.

Victory #4: Compassion + Persistence = A Second Chance

Derek had never really known the meaning of "home." When he was 7, he began years of out-of-home placements due to his family's inability to care for him as a result of their own mental health issues and addictions. He spent the next 8 years moving from group home to group home, never spending more than 2 years in any one place. Derek was a sad and angry youth, and the only way he knew to express his feelings was through being verbally and physically aggressive and non-compliant with the rules. With serious emotional and behavioral problems, Derek was NOT a good candidate for a foster home.

At age 15, and after bouncing from facility to facility, he finally was brought to the Residential Treatment Program at the Village. Derek had a rough beginning. He struggled with depression, which disturbed his sleep cycle and made it difficult for him to function during the day. He was noncompliant with even the most basic rules and lacked the ability to use words to express his feelings, instead resorting to destroying his school uniforms and his own belongings. He let the adults know just how angry he was with his lot in life. Understandably, he didn't trust anyone.

But the Village staff would not give up. His psychiatrist worked to adjust his medications, and his depression began to lift. The staff provided him with intensive therapeutic counseling in an educational setting and a structured, safe, predictable environment. He was able to concentrate in school and his grades improved. Slowly, he began to trust a few people. Through group counseling and individual therapy, he learned safer and more acceptable ways to express his feelings. For the very first time, Derek felt safe enough to talk about his many losses and how much he missed having a family.

Derek was encouraged by his team members to think about his future and where he'd like to live. He did research with his social worker on group homes and foster care. He decided that what he really wanted was a family!

With Derek's improved mood and behavior, Derek was able to achieve the highest behavioral level in the Residential program. His social worker identified and contacted a former child care worker who visited with Derek and took him off campus for cookouts and movies. Because of his progress in treatment, moving to a Foster Care home became a reality. With the help of caring Village staff to reclaim his life, Derek developed REAL goals: having a family and becoming a fashion designer.