A Place to Call Home
It shocked Thomas* and Allyson* when, out of the blue, Calvin* told them he wanted to be adopted.
When 17-year-old Calvin first entered their home, he was very shy and reserved. He was hard to understand. He often spoke quietly and mumbled, rarely looking people in the eyes.
He had been in and out of foster homes for almost six years and he saw drug addiction destroy his family. He was determined to make a better life for himself. His plan was to keep his head down, graduate high school, and age out of the foster care system.
After being in foster care for roughly 2,000 days, he wasn't interested in adoption. He felt disappointed and defeated. He just wanted to move on.
“I told him from the time he came to my house, I said, ‘Calvin, you don't have to be adopted. That's fine,’” Allyson shared, “so even when you graduate…even if you're not adopted, this is your home.”
Over time, they started to see a transformation in him. He got a job at Chick-fil-A, where he flourished. He became a leader in the workplace and earned a raise. He even got an award last year for most improved employee.
Even his social worker, Alaina Mathis, has seen a change in him. “He speaks with clarity and confidence now.” She goes on to explain that he used to have a speech impediment that has greatly improved. The most significant change is that he belongs to a family now . . . and that made all the difference in Calvin.
The turning point for Calvin was when he incurred a serious injury landing him in the hospital. “At no point did we leave him alone in the hospital,” Allyson said. “I think that was the changing point for him . . . he realized we would always be there for him.”
It wasn’t long after the accident that Calvin told the Thomas and Allyson he wanted to be a part of their family forever. Later this year, they will officially adopt Calvin.
When Calvin came into foster care, he not only had a warm bed, new clothes, and food on the table—he found a place where he felt accepted, loved, and valued. He found a place to call home . . . forever.
If you’re interested in helping kids like Calvin, visit here.
*Name and photo have been changed for privacy purposes.