I took John to have lunch with two of his friends at the Ranch today. One of them had a social worker who got confused and didn’t bring him back to the ranch after vacation on the right day, so we didn’t get to see him. The other, who I referred to as Jack in this post was there and we spent a great hour and half eating tacos and catching up. He has decided that he will most likely be there until he graduates --he came at 13. Three of the five members of his family (both parents and a sister) are in prison.
He is as intelligent, articulate and fun as he was when we first met him. Cynical, yet, but personable and way bright. Fortunately for him, a former employee at the ranch is getting licensed for foster care and he is hoping to move in with him. He is one who is in “long term foster care” and who is not legally free for adoption, but fortunately for him, he has made connections with one or more adults who truly care about him and he will most likely make it.
Of course, spending time with him reminded me once again of how many kids like him they are in group homes, boys ranches, and residential treatment who really aren’t the scary tough “bad kids” you associate with these types of places. Families to mentor, foster, and adopt these young men are so desperately needed. But it is SUCH hard work... as Cindy blogged today ... that it is tough to recruit people to do it.
But if you could meet “Jack” you’d be tempted . . .
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