When Allen, one of Home Start’s dedicated Family Visitation Specialists, first met the Johnson family, their situation was fragile. Their two boys, ages 9 and 12, hadn’t been able to spend meaningful time with their parents in quite some time. The courts required supervised visitation, and the family was referred to Home Start for help rebuilding these critical connections.
Overcoming Early Challenges
At first, even getting started was difficult. Communication stalled, paperwork needed to be redone, and eventually, the case had to be temporarily closed. But thanks to the generosity of supporters like you, families don’t fall through the cracks. Home Start has the capacity to circle back, try again, and stay committed — ensuring every family has the chance to heal.
Small Steps Toward Stability
When Allen was able to revisit the Johnsons’ case, the boys were eager to reconnect with their parents. Visits began, but stability was still hard to come by. Week after week, locations had to shift due to circumstances outside anyone’s control. It wasn’t easy for the children, the parents, or Home Start’s staff — but the family kept showing up, and so did we.
Slowly, something remarkable began to happen.
Milestones That Matter
The boys’ mother completed her sober living program, and their father successfully finished his own program. With each milestone, trust grew. Visitations moved from supervised… to partially supervised… to fully unsupervised. The boys began talking excitedly about longer visits, even overnight stays. For the first time in years, they could see a path toward being a family again.
The Impact of Support
Recently, Allen was able to close the Johnsons’ case with confidence and hope. Today, the children are reconnecting with their parents, and their parents are building a healthier, safer future.
This is the power of your generosity. By supporting Home Start, you give families the chance to heal. You give parents room to grow. You give children the gift of stability, safety, and hope.
Because of you, the Johnson boys have parents back — and a future that once felt out of reach.