Canyon Acres Children and Family Successes…

A Success Story of Canyon Acres Foster Care & Adoption Programs

Amber

Amber’s biological mother suffered from drug addiction and was unable to properly care for her children. While the other children were adopted, Amber grew up in the care of her grandmother. But, the effects of her mother’s departure from her life had a daunting effect on Amber. As she matured, she began to display some aggressive behavior at home. Her grandmother was having a tough time being the mother figure that Amber so desperately needed. She realized they needed professional help, and Amber lived the next two years in out-of-home care.

At age 17, when Amber was nearing emancipation age, her case was referred to Canyon Acres’ Creating Family Connections Program (CFC). Amber confessed to the CFC team that she had always wondered about her siblings who had all been adopted at an early age. She expressed her strong desire to be reunited with them to at least catch a glimpse of how they were doing now. The CFC team quickly went to work to make Amber’s dream a reality.

After much searching, the CFC team was able to locate the adopted mothers of Amber’s four biological siblings. The team coordinated a reunion at a local restaurant that would bring all the siblings together for the first time since their adoptions. The siblings, who had each been either an infant or a toddler at the time of their adoption, now ranged in age from 11-20.

The reunion went extremely well. The excitement level was high as the siblings slowly began to get know each other. They each shared their hobbies and talents and the sisters even shared make-up tips. No one wanted the visit to end. Later, the CFC team presented Amber with a photo album filled with photos taken from the event. They also sent her e-mails of photos taken by each of the adoptive mothers. Amber was thrilled.

It is rare when a child is able to reunite with all adopted siblings. But thanks to the caring and dedicated staff at Canyon Acres, this rarity became a reality and many lives have been enhanced because of it. Amber is now in contact with her brother and sisters and participates in family events with each of the adoptive families. She now has the family connections he had always dreamed of having.

Names have been changed to protect confidentiality.