Katie’s new mom let me pick Katie up from the group home on the Friday. I can not tell you how much I so wanted to do this, To be able to put her in my car and help her load what stuff she had into it and drive away from there was one of my greatest joys. I just looked at that little girl that was going through some real tough emotions and told her you are never going back. Take a look in the rear view mirror Katie, that’s where all of that belongs. She talked about her past friends, she remembered and talked about her experiences of leaving before and then having to go back. She talked about her hopes for the girls she was leaving behind. She talked about her past experiences with people that had played a positive role in her life and I assured her that she does not need to abandon those experiences, take them and what they meant with her and leave the negative stuff behind, All of the people that have made a positive impact in her life will be happy for her and thrilled that they did give her something to carry through life. After talking on all sides of what was going through her mind which was to be expected and thank heavens she felt free enough with me to just let it go, she just stopped and said nothing. After a minute she looked at me and said , Nana ( which is what my name has become- what an honor) THIS IS REALLY HAPPENING! I need to call my mom and called Deena from the cell. If I never have success with another child or project or even if God Willing we do, I will never forget that day and I will always cherish it.
Okay, now Katie is home and Deena is double timing everything. She only had one day’s notice that she was bring Katie home even though it technically is still not permanent. She has to have Katie enrolled in a new school on Monday. Love house chipped in for some new clothes since all she wore was uniforms at her other school. We will be there to be a part of this Love Story. Before I forget, I get a call from Katie on Monday and in a very serious voice, telling me I need this phone number and do I have something to write it down with- I’m like panicked ( what has gone wrong so quick) I’m scrambling for the pen and write it down and then she informs me that this is the number to HER cell phone, Yep Katie has arrived. Below is Katie’s own update of her first week and Deena’s comments to everyone.
.
She truly is a teenager. Reading her update, I really do believe it has been an instant transformation - you would never know that she has been through hell and back. Instead she talks and writes just like all the kids her age.... me, me, me....... I love it! Katie is home at last and knows it.
Thank you to you and all of yours who have helped us make this possible.
Thanks again....
Deena
To Nana and Friends;
My first week of school went really phenomenal! My first day was a little slow, but once I got into the swing of the school routines, I was fine. I am on the E team for 8th grade and we have two different days. On days 1, I take Spanish. Even though I started so late, I have caught on quickly. And on days 2, I take P.E. The unit we are in right now in DDR or Dance Dance Revolution. I took a test on Friday and I did excellent. I ended up with a 20/20. So if that is a sign of anything, it means that I am doing well in my classes and I am catching on quickly and I understand what I am supposed to be doing. This upcoming week we are doing AIMS and on Friday the 3rd we are having a Spring Carnival from 5:00-8:30. Our last week of school the 8th graders are going through promotion on Tuesday and we are having our promotion ceremony that night. On Wednesday we are going to Big Surf and on Thursday we are having our promotion dance. And on Friday we are getting our diplomas. We only have 7 to 8 more weeks of school left so we are all trying our best to work on what needs to be fixed so we don’t have to be held back. All of my teachers are nice and they understand my situation and they now where I am from. My Spanish teacher, Mrs. Figueroa, is helping me with the words she is teaching the class so I am not left behind. My first hour teacher, Mrs. Evenson, is helping me catch up also. My second hour teacher, Mrs. Taylor, is very nice and I am learning about the Vietnam War and the Cold war. My third hour teacher, Mrs. Sarriano, is making us write persuasive essays (mine is done) and that is the class where I got the 20/20. After that I have lunch. Fridays we have what’s called music at lunch and it is really neat. After that I have math and my teacher is, Mrs. McBeth. We are learning what I have already learned so it is fairly easy. Then like I said before I have Spanish on day 1 and P.E. on day 2. I have a close group of friends and I continue to grow and learn more each day. That is the update on my first week and the upcoming events. The first week at home permanently was excellent. I am really glad that I don’t have to go back to the group home on Sundays. On Tuesday, this was also my first day of school; my dad picked me up from the bus stop after school. In the morning my mom takes me to school. Wednesday I came home and did my homework and did chores. Thursday I found out what was going on for the last week of school and I am glad that I am in the 8th grade and don’t have to hear the announcements saying the 8th graders get to do this and that. At home I did pretty much the same thing and I practiced my Spanish. Friday I had to be quick with my chores and homework because I had 4H cooking and sewing. I learned how to cook Shepard’s pie, horse treats, and any cake mix cookies. Saturday I baked some oatmeal cookies and I helped out with the odd ball stuff. My youngest nephew came over so we babysat him. And Sunday my other two nephews came over and stayed for a little while. Also at school we are doing the talent show. My first week here was a little crazy but otherwise it was an all out excellent week. I am looking forward to more awesome weeks in my life. To nana specifically: my nails are growing out and I have not bitten them once this week and I will not bite them this week either. Love you all!!!
Maureen Karpinski
Help out Abused & Neglected Kids In Need
at the Love House Kids Program Charity.
Showing posts with label laughing for kids. Show all posts
Showing posts with label laughing for kids. Show all posts
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
Love House Kids Program and a Special Child Katelyn or Katie continued
Here we are at Katie's spring break, a time that was suppose to be the appropriate time to move her permanently into her new home. Deena and Tim have jumped through ever hoop possible to accommodate this and the time it has taken and the distance that they drive 5-6 times a week to pick up and deliver and go to the classes and take Katie to whatever appointments she is suppose to be at has just eaten up their lives but with the vision that it would all be over by this time. So much for the PROTECTIVE in child protective services.It is not in front of the Judge and isn't. Not only the miserable disappointment for Katie but here is she at spring break and can still only get the weekend to go home so she gets to stay at the group home that week with just about none of her stuff - Everything she owns is at Deena and Tim's You know exactly what will happen here. They all will be looking at her not getting home until school is out.
What a crying shame. None of them, Katie, Deena or Tim have a voice in this, It is the very same inadequacy that placed Katie in the wrong home the last time. Deena is just burnt out and Katie keeps on keeping on because she has never had any choice,
It just boils me that these kids got dealt the wrong hand at birth and then supposedly are placed in a system that is suppose to take an interest in them and protect them- Bunk-The best these kids can hope for is a bed and food and maybe a foster parent that cares.
Lets us keep Katie, Deena and Tim in our prayers
Next chapter
Well just to update you on the situation with Katie. She got through her winter break with putting up with her new mom and me switching shifts. I had 3 days with her and what a treasure she is. Katie is more grounded than she has ever been since I have known her. She is definitely frustrated and who could blame her. Here she has her family waiting for her and the very system that is suppose to play a positive role in her life is the one holding her back from security and love. Makes me sick. Katie helped me out in the office and I soon learned that she has great organizational skills. We had to meet her new friend so they could go to 4H together and so we needed to meet at Brooke's high school which focuses on horses. Brooke has a goal of being a vet for horses ( what a match for Katie) Katie told me this is where she is going to school next year. I said to Katie "who would have thought that we would be having this conversation, Katie and she looked at me and said "not me" and then went quiet and looked at me and said BUT GOD knew. Yep I wiped out!
She went down to see Keith, our jeweler, who had supplied her Christmas present for her new mom and thanked him. Keith just hugged her and encouraged her to hang on. Deena and Tim were set for their CPS home inspection and get the call the day before that too short staff - need to wait a month or so. Deena had finally taken all she was going to take and asked for supervisors and anyone above this case worker, who all of a sudden became very supportive and suppose to be trying to clear a temporary stay until they can get the judge to sign off on it. It was horrible for Katie to have to go back to the group home after spending a week at her new home and where she was suppose to be permanently by now and have to be dropped off at the group home again. This is so cruel and so unnecessary. People just do not understand what these kids go through, the smallest of things mean the most to these kids. Deena and Tim let me pay for a dresser for Katie's room. Deena and Katie built it together and Katie told Deena, it had been a long time since she had a dresser. Deena asked how long and the answer was since Debbie ( first adopted foster mom that put her back in the system, so that is about 4 years ago and maybe longer since they came here from Colorado) Having a dresser is a big thing to Katie.
Lets all pray that they are able to get the temporary stay and maybe just maybe Deena or me can pick Katie up from the group home for the last time this Friday.
Maureen Karpinski
Help out Abused & Neglected Kids In Need
at the Love House Kids Program Charity.
What a crying shame. None of them, Katie, Deena or Tim have a voice in this, It is the very same inadequacy that placed Katie in the wrong home the last time. Deena is just burnt out and Katie keeps on keeping on because she has never had any choice,
It just boils me that these kids got dealt the wrong hand at birth and then supposedly are placed in a system that is suppose to take an interest in them and protect them- Bunk-The best these kids can hope for is a bed and food and maybe a foster parent that cares.
Lets us keep Katie, Deena and Tim in our prayers
Next chapter
Well just to update you on the situation with Katie. She got through her winter break with putting up with her new mom and me switching shifts. I had 3 days with her and what a treasure she is. Katie is more grounded than she has ever been since I have known her. She is definitely frustrated and who could blame her. Here she has her family waiting for her and the very system that is suppose to play a positive role in her life is the one holding her back from security and love. Makes me sick. Katie helped me out in the office and I soon learned that she has great organizational skills. We had to meet her new friend so they could go to 4H together and so we needed to meet at Brooke's high school which focuses on horses. Brooke has a goal of being a vet for horses ( what a match for Katie) Katie told me this is where she is going to school next year. I said to Katie "who would have thought that we would be having this conversation, Katie and she looked at me and said "not me" and then went quiet and looked at me and said BUT GOD knew. Yep I wiped out!
She went down to see Keith, our jeweler, who had supplied her Christmas present for her new mom and thanked him. Keith just hugged her and encouraged her to hang on. Deena and Tim were set for their CPS home inspection and get the call the day before that too short staff - need to wait a month or so. Deena had finally taken all she was going to take and asked for supervisors and anyone above this case worker, who all of a sudden became very supportive and suppose to be trying to clear a temporary stay until they can get the judge to sign off on it. It was horrible for Katie to have to go back to the group home after spending a week at her new home and where she was suppose to be permanently by now and have to be dropped off at the group home again. This is so cruel and so unnecessary. People just do not understand what these kids go through, the smallest of things mean the most to these kids. Deena and Tim let me pay for a dresser for Katie's room. Deena and Katie built it together and Katie told Deena, it had been a long time since she had a dresser. Deena asked how long and the answer was since Debbie ( first adopted foster mom that put her back in the system, so that is about 4 years ago and maybe longer since they came here from Colorado) Having a dresser is a big thing to Katie.
Lets all pray that they are able to get the temporary stay and maybe just maybe Deena or me can pick Katie up from the group home for the last time this Friday.
Maureen Karpinski
Help out Abused & Neglected Kids In Need
at the Love House Kids Program Charity.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Love House Kids Program update from Christmas
Love House Update
Wow! What a Christmas! We had more kids than ever in need for Christmas
and people came through with unbelievable generosity. We supplied over 850 kids this year with toys and 55 of them were complete wish lists for teenagers living in group homes.With the economy not so great and so many fears of what is coming, I was concerned about our
Christmas needs getting met. People didn’t leave us. They got more creative and
it turned out fantastic. Instead of one person or family taking on one child a two or
three families took on the one child. People reached out to friends and co workers
that didn’t know we existed and got them involved. From that great effort, not only
did the kids get Christmas but the Love House Kids Program got more exposure and
from that we have received more offers to volunteer services. Everyone won.
The Girl’s Place has certainly had its breaking in time and what a trip it has been
It is a place for the exceptional girl that really is putting her own actions and accountability into a customized program leading to success for a lifetime. There are
lots that want it but few that are truly willing to work it. Even the willingness to learn
how to work it and be accountable can be the difference in a life time for these kids.
We will work with them on breaking the dependency on the system and becoming
completely reliable on themselves creating a healthy life style. I don’t know who has
learnt more, them or me. I certainly can attest to knowing more about some subject matter than I ever dreamed of. We never know where the success will come from but
it will and in some situations, we may not know about it for years later but in the
meantime, we are the front seat audience.
We have had a gal that was at our fund raiser jump on board the love train with her
talents in socialized internet marketing and put the Love House Kids Program and Girl’s Place on Face book. She is so energized and already making a difference, She is also
looking at some fund raising events that she may put on. This is going to be an exciting time for all of us and if Christmas is any indication of what people are willing to do for our kids that range from 0-19, the economy won’t be allowed to restrict us. Everyone will
just get more creative so the burden is spread out and not so heavy. The power of one person doing one thing has never ceased to amaze me. One person does make a difference; the Love House Kids Program is full of those stories and is where it is today
because of them. All of the kids at the
Wow! What a Christmas! We had more kids than ever in need for Christmas
and people came through with unbelievable generosity. We supplied over 850 kids this year with toys and 55 of them were complete wish lists for teenagers living in group homes.With the economy not so great and so many fears of what is coming, I was concerned about our
Christmas needs getting met. People didn’t leave us. They got more creative and
it turned out fantastic. Instead of one person or family taking on one child a two or
three families took on the one child. People reached out to friends and co workers
that didn’t know we existed and got them involved. From that great effort, not only
did the kids get Christmas but the Love House Kids Program got more exposure and
from that we have received more offers to volunteer services. Everyone won.
The Girl’s Place has certainly had its breaking in time and what a trip it has been
It is a place for the exceptional girl that really is putting her own actions and accountability into a customized program leading to success for a lifetime. There are
lots that want it but few that are truly willing to work it. Even the willingness to learn
how to work it and be accountable can be the difference in a life time for these kids.
We will work with them on breaking the dependency on the system and becoming
completely reliable on themselves creating a healthy life style. I don’t know who has
learnt more, them or me. I certainly can attest to knowing more about some subject matter than I ever dreamed of. We never know where the success will come from but
it will and in some situations, we may not know about it for years later but in the
meantime, we are the front seat audience.
We have had a gal that was at our fund raiser jump on board the love train with her
talents in socialized internet marketing and put the Love House Kids Program and Girl’s Place on Face book. She is so energized and already making a difference, She is also
looking at some fund raising events that she may put on. This is going to be an exciting time for all of us and if Christmas is any indication of what people are willing to do for our kids that range from 0-19, the economy won’t be allowed to restrict us. Everyone will
just get more creative so the burden is spread out and not so heavy. The power of one person doing one thing has never ceased to amaze me. One person does make a difference; the Love House Kids Program is full of those stories and is where it is today
because of them. All of the kids at the
Love House Kids Programand me thank you for caring about us and being there for us. Those that don’t know who we are, please visit us at http://www.lovehousekidsprogram.org/
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Love House Kids Program Update for April
EASTER- Thank you Curves members at 7th Ave and Union Hills and Kelly owner who put beautiful baskets together for all our kids. Curves did this last year too and what a nice memory for these kids to have. These members donate money and stuff but they get specific- they have the ages and make the baskets according to age. Kelly decorates these baskets with the greatest of care and they are just a masterpiece. What a special time for special kids.
Next our night at the Road Runners Game for the kids was a success.
We sponsored 70 kids and 12 mom’s – We had 35 sponsored by our own donors which really helped the budget and allows us to spend that money on the next need.
A good time was had by all. We put out the call at a very late stage of the game for volunteers to help us sell Chuck A Pucks which we would be the beneficiary of half the funds. First thing I needed was posters and signs. Peggi Waldell who is our board secretary got her family involved and the signs arrived on the door and they were outstanding signs- thanks Peggi and all your family- then the busy people jumped in. Everyone of them worked all day and still found time to come and sell tickets and sell tickets they did.
Tim Lee from the Perfectionist and on our board was all over everybody. Fredi Stillman 2-10 Home warranty and on our board with her Husband stood at the front of concession lines where they were paying and got them there. Noah Wallington- a friend and a tenant was throwing pucks at people and getting them to pay and his friend who knew nothing about us joined him to do the same. Michelle Korhonen from Bourget's Bike works- worked the table with me and as always right there for the kids. Thank you each and everyone of you for being such faithful servants to God's Kids. The Love House Kids Program is so blessed to have people like this on board.
Thanks to everyone that worked it land thank you to all of you that helped sponsor this night for the kids
Next Event is our Comedy event April 19th- Catch 22 Sports Bar. 32nd street & Union Hills - 15 dollar tickets- must be bought in advance- Should be a fun time 4PM-7PM call 602 971 3331
I want to insert feed back that Amy Sue received from one of her moms for that night. This mom is fighting her way back into the work force and society- that takes courage and anytime you can encourage them, it is so worthwhile. They love to do things for their kids and it makes them feel like they are accomplishing something when they can. Their funds certainly doesn’t allow it. They just want to be good moms and doing it on their own from a history of horror is beyond words tough and takes guts. Reinforcing moms efforts and letting her know she is not alone and so respected by all of us for her courage has got to be one of the best ways of preventing child abuse and the child gets to have a great memory of time being with mom.
“Hi Amy,
Could you please let the powers to be know, that My son and I had a very good time at the game last night. The seats were great and the vouchers for the food was very helpful. Being able to share something like this with him, gives us a chance to talk one on one in a positive atmosphere.
Thanks again, Rita
Want to know more about the “Love House Kids Program”? Visit us at www.lovehousekidsprogram.org
Next our night at the Road Runners Game for the kids was a success.
We sponsored 70 kids and 12 mom’s – We had 35 sponsored by our own donors which really helped the budget and allows us to spend that money on the next need.
A good time was had by all. We put out the call at a very late stage of the game for volunteers to help us sell Chuck A Pucks which we would be the beneficiary of half the funds. First thing I needed was posters and signs. Peggi Waldell who is our board secretary got her family involved and the signs arrived on the door and they were outstanding signs- thanks Peggi and all your family- then the busy people jumped in. Everyone of them worked all day and still found time to come and sell tickets and sell tickets they did.
Tim Lee from the Perfectionist and on our board was all over everybody. Fredi Stillman 2-10 Home warranty and on our board with her Husband stood at the front of concession lines where they were paying and got them there. Noah Wallington- a friend and a tenant was throwing pucks at people and getting them to pay and his friend who knew nothing about us joined him to do the same. Michelle Korhonen from Bourget's Bike works- worked the table with me and as always right there for the kids. Thank you each and everyone of you for being such faithful servants to God's Kids. The Love House Kids Program is so blessed to have people like this on board.
Thanks to everyone that worked it land thank you to all of you that helped sponsor this night for the kids
Next Event is our Comedy event April 19th- Catch 22 Sports Bar. 32nd street & Union Hills - 15 dollar tickets- must be bought in advance- Should be a fun time 4PM-7PM call 602 971 3331
I want to insert feed back that Amy Sue received from one of her moms for that night. This mom is fighting her way back into the work force and society- that takes courage and anytime you can encourage them, it is so worthwhile. They love to do things for their kids and it makes them feel like they are accomplishing something when they can. Their funds certainly doesn’t allow it. They just want to be good moms and doing it on their own from a history of horror is beyond words tough and takes guts. Reinforcing moms efforts and letting her know she is not alone and so respected by all of us for her courage has got to be one of the best ways of preventing child abuse and the child gets to have a great memory of time being with mom.
“Hi Amy,
Could you please let the powers to be know, that My son and I had a very good time at the game last night. The seats were great and the vouchers for the food was very helpful. Being able to share something like this with him, gives us a chance to talk one on one in a positive atmosphere.
Thanks again, Rita
Want to know more about the “Love House Kids Program”? Visit us at www.lovehousekidsprogram.org
Sunday, March 2, 2008
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