Lincoln was born substance exposed and spent three weeks in the hospital weaning from methadone. The hospital alerted Child Protective Services about his mother’s drug use, but since she was attending treatment, eventually they closed the case. Over the next six years, Lincoln experienced a lot of neglect while his mother was fighting her addiction. When Lincoln started school, he was often absent and fell behind the other children. At age seven, he went to live with his grandmother, who had no supports and managed his defiant behaviors with physical punishments.
Lincoln entered foster care at age 12 when his grandmother told Social Services she could not handle his behaviors any longer. The longer he spent in care, the more angry and sad Lincoln became. His behaviors worsened until he was placed in a group home setting. This is when Lincoln’s case was referred to Children’s Home Society so they could find him an adoptive family. They found Georgia, who is a teacher.
13-year-old Lincoln really brightened up when Georgia began to visit him. She liked rap music and playing basketball. She said every day would be a fresh start and that he could learn to do better in school. She was proud of him when he did well and kind to him when he struggled. Eventually Lincoln moved to live with Georgia, and he became her son. Today, Lincoln and Georgia are family because of adoption – and because of Children’s Home Society and the support of the United Way.
More Information:
- Read our Q&A with Nadine Marsh-Carter, Chief Executive Officer of Children’s Home Society of Virginia.
- Providing safe housing is a core component of United Way’s Steps to Success framework. Learn more about the Basic Needs Step.
- Visit Children’s Home Society of Virginia’s website.