Katie Goes Home

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.
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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.

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.

Love House Kids and Willy Northpole

WOW! Starts it off – We had the most incredible day yesterday for the kids in group homes and some foster kids. A week and a half ago the Love House Kids Program had a call from a guy that wanted to hook his client who is a hip hop artist, up with our kids at the group homes. He wanted to come and talk to the kids and he had a message of hope. His name is Willy Northpole and he is Hip Hop so the lyrics are something pretty new to me, however his brand manager assured me that the message was right and they were very responsible with kids. After I took a deep breath and thought about it, I went with it. He is someone that is recognizable in the music world and that would thrill the kids and grew up tough and in Phoenix. It doesn’t get more believable than that for our kids. He has walked their walk. Best decision we could have made. Willy hit it out of the park with these kids and all the adults just loved him. He is just one fine nice human being. He took the kids through his whole growing up life till now didn’t hold back much and the kids were completely quiet and in awe. It was like he was reading their mail. He let them ask him anything and everything with no rush. Please remember this guy had performed for 3 days at the Phoenix All Star games, his voice was gone and he still running on no sleep or next to none was willing to give 35 kids everything they needed. They brought shirts and he autographed CDs and shirts for them. Let all of them have pictures taken with him for their personal use. His whole message was of hope and dreams. He gave the kids his email address; He wears a shirt with HOOD DREAMER on it and he so walks that walk. We were so honored to accommodate this at the Girl’s Place. Bytauh his branding agent and the person that set this up has assured me that this isn’t the end, it is the beginning and Willy’s manager Tiffany, who is just one outstanding gal has offered to help us out in the future as well, We just feel blessed. When we can do something like this for the kids and help provide them with a positive message for life, it makes you remember why you do what you do.

We have a new girl at the Girls Place who is going to Apollo College and working and committed to be the best she can be. We love her to death and know that her attitude is an attitude of a winner. We are happy to help her reach her goal