save the world

Vicky called me the other day to chat. She’s got a court date creeping up where she could get the baby back or not. There’s a million reasons for her to panic and go back to the comforts of the hood. She’s not gonna.

She wants to stay in foster care until she graduates. She’s starting to make plans for her future. She even started volunteering at a doctors office.

That’s what you call a miracle.

Really its awful. I’ve heard the story about two steps forward three steps back. Its awful being the one that led them to the two steps and then to see them fall. The system is absolutely fucking awful. I can’t believe that I went from full custody, to asking for help, to them being seperated… mother in one foster care and the baby in another city. Poor little Andrew probably can’t sleep at night. If you’re heart breaks when you’re two are you ever quite right? Vicky could either get her things together or completely fall off the map. It’s horrible – I love them so much and now because I’m no longer a guardian or a relative I have no way to contact them. They could be doing anything. They could be with anyone. They’re all alone. I really feel powerless.

I’m so blessed that as I work with Vicky & Andrew that I have full support of a team. Crazy – this week with Dina stepping up to the plate and getting Vicky legal assistnace. Crazy – Cheter and Chia falling in love with Andrew and wanting to see him more. Monica taking Vicky to church. The list goes on, and on, and on. It’s really inspiring.

I’ll be honest today was TOUGH. I’ve taken on fostering Vicky & her baby since she couldn’t stay in South Central. This summer there was a shooting at the house she was staying at. They tried to kill her boyfriend – gang stuff. It was about the 99th thing that went wrong and we had to get her out of there.

Things have finally settled down with her DCFS case. We were getting on a schedule. This AM out of nowhere she got ordered to go to court to testify against the shooters in an attempted murder case. Pretty scary. I didn’t know what to do. She didn’t want to go because she didn’t want them to identify her and become a target. I didn’t want her to miss school. The cops were pretty awful and yelled at me. They threatened to put a warrent out for her arrest if she didn’t go.

Luckily the mentoring department stepped in and advised me. They took her to court. They didn’t do the trial today. She spoke to her attorney and saw the judge. The court date is reset for 11/1. In the meantime we’re working on contacting the DA & trying to get her NOT to have to go to court.

It was stressful – on so many levels. I mean you’re trying to teach a young person how to do the right thing. At the same time you don’t blame them for ducking the system caz it’s wack. And honestly – I was scared for her safety too.

High
Stress
Day

Currently trying to save the world. Vicky & Andrew are living with me. It’s gotta be pretty crazy for them to go from South Central L.A. to somewhere with food in the fridge. I love having them here. It’s scary having so much responsibility. It’s rewarding knowing I’m making a difference. I’m scared that I don’t know the outcome.

Last week when I was really frustrated about APCH and all the challenges I asked a bunch of people for help. We’re all going there tomorrow 6PM!