Cesar and Jose
Brothers Cesar and Jose were removed from their birth family after their home was raided by police and the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). They were placed in foster care because their birth fathers were incarcerated, their birth mother was arrested for drugs, and they were being severely neglected.
Cesar and Jose were transferred to Bienvenidos Children’s Center from their initial foster home because it did not provide the nurturing environment they so desperately needed, and they were placed with the L. family, a Bienvenidos foster family. After the traumatic separation from their birth mother and their sister, who had essentially become their mother figure, and a less than nurturing
initial placement, Jose and Caesar were guarded and not easily trusting of their new caregivers.
With the warmth and stability provided by the L. family, Cesar and Jose have made great progress academically, socially, and emotionally. They work out regularly with their foster father who uses his home gym to teach discipline and respect for oneself and others. Cesar plays basketball with good friends at the local park, while Jose is now a member of his high school’s Junior Varsity football team. At a recent court hearing, both boys expressed pride in their academic achievement, having never before received Bs on report cards.
Angel
Two-year old Angel came to Bienvenidos Children’s Center Family Services Agency severely depressed. He never looked up or said a word to anyone. The first time Patricia, his social worker, engaged him in a play therapy session, he took a truck and loaded it with dollhouse furniture. He then pulled it out the door, acting out the displacement he and his family experienced leading to their
homelessness. His second time in play therapy, he picked up a gun and shot each and every doll. Angel was putting into action what he did not have the words to describe-his anger and desperation.
His therapist worked with him to help him understand his feelings. He needed someone to recognize his anger, which he had internalized into depression. The safety, consistency, and validation he experienced with us helped Angel heal; before long, he began playing and interacting with other children and adults happily.
Angel’s life could have followed the path that so many do, entering a cycle of destructive behavior by acting out in socially unacceptable ways, such as fire setting or harming small animals, others, and themselves. Our early intervention prevented the onset of a life that could have been in great peril. That is why early intervention is so critical to these little guys who have been subjected to the chaos, violence and trauma that no child should have to endure.
Lynette
Lynette was referred to us after her newborn tested positive for cocaine and was placed in the care of Bienvenidos Children’s Center. Immediately, we provided Lynette supportive, non-judgmental counseling that she so desperately needed. Five days a week, she worked with a social worker to examine her current life crisis and develop a plan of action to break the destructive cycle in which she was living.
Lynette became actively involved in our parenting education and support programs; however, she failed to comply with court-ordered drug testing, assuming the courts would release her daughter to her regardless of her lack of compliance. When reality hit and she realized she would not get her daughter back, she attempted suicide. For several days, her social worker supported
Lynette with intensive therapy, pulling her through the crisis.
Lynette made a commitment to comply with her court-ordered drug testing and continued her self improvement. Ultimately, she was able to heal the deep wounds within her, take responsibility for her life and become an involved community member. On the day her daughter was released to her, Lynette called us from court overflowing with happiness, gratitude and a continued commitment
to herself and her child. She had come such a long way.
Lynette continues to see her counselor weekly to maintain the progress she has made. We offer this continuous support to all parents of the children we serve.
Mary
Mary, a teenager, was at a crossroads, with one road leading to high risk behavior, such as drug use, gang involvement, pregnancy and dropping out of school. Her mother, recognizing her daughter needed help, but limited by financial resources, came to us.
Mary’s counseling with a Bienvenidos Children’s Center Mental Health therapist was neither easy nor magical. It was hard work. But little by little, their work developed into a mutually caring connection that was deeply healing for Mary. After some time, Mary’s family moved away, and she ended her treatment with us.
A year later, Mary’s therapist received a phone call from Mary’s mother, who was difficult to understand because she was in tears. The therapist was afraid something painful or bad was going on with Mary; however, her mother’s tears were of gratitude and love. She had called Mary’s therapist to thank her for changing their lives and for giving them their daughter back.
The attention, compassion, and structured therapy Mary received at Bienvenidos Children’s Center also had a positive impact on her academic success. Mary’s grades rose from Ds and Fs to As and Bs, and she created positive relationships with her teachers and peers. Mary is now applying to college, and she has rediscovered her love for her family and her passion for life. Through much hard work, will, and determination, this young woman is able to, for the first time in her life, look forward to her future with hope and excitement.
Aaron
During Aaron’s first session with our mental health therapist, he did not want to play with any of the play therapy toys, and the session ended without any interaction. The next visit was different.
He went straight to the play therapy room and he went right to th box that held the people toys. He picked up a woman doll, a baby boy doll and a man doll and laid the woman and baby boy dolls down on the table. He then took the man doll and used it to hit the woman and baby. Next, Aaron placed the man doll down on the table next to the woman and baby, and he went back to the box that held the other people figures. This time, he took out a very big man and held him in his hand high above his head. Aaron made the big figure swoop down to the table and swipe the man figure onto the floor. The little boy yelled in delight and said that the Super Man figure had come and saved his family from the bad man. Aaron cried in delight.
Through play therapy, he was able to express and work through his abuse issues. He was only four years old, and we were able to intervene and treat him early in his life. Many children don’t have a chance to work through their issues, and they end up carrying them into adulthood. That is why we are here, to provide therapy and intervention for the children, so they have a chance to deal with their problems early and can become productive, well-adjusted adults leading meaningful and happy lives.
Nellie
Nellie and her four siblings were placed in our foster care agency. Severely developmentally delayed due to severe abuse and neglect, she was two grades behind in school.
By petitioning Nellie’s school for two long years, her Bienvenidos Children’s Center social worker and her foster family were finally victorious in obtaining an individualized education program (IEP) for Nellie, allowing her to receive instruction tailored to her needs, rather than trying – unsuccessfully – to adapt to mainstream instruction. Placement in the IEP was possible only because Nellie’s social worker and therapist had researched and discovered funding available to Nellie’s school, based on Nellie and her brother’s Native American heritage. Six months after entering her IEP, Los Angeles Unified School District honored Nellie for her advancement and academic achievement.
David
David is a teenager who has been a part of the Bienvenidos family since the tender age of nine. Here is his story, in his words.
My life has not been easy. At a young age, I experienced many things a child should not have to, such as being removed from my mother and taken to a foster home at the age of nine. Not knowing what was happening and where I was being taken, I felt weak, scared and defenseless. At that moment, I realized my life would change. I had to grow up that day and become an adult. I felt I had to prove to everyone that I was not weak, scared and defenseless — that even though I was in special education classes, I could become smart and work my way up to be a gifted student and be in the honors program. Changing was not easy. I had to make sacrifices to become someone I did not know I could be. Throughout these changes, there were many people who helped me.
In foster care, I have learned many things that have helped me change and become a better person. In my first foster home, I learned that I was not alone and that there were people who cared about me and wanted to help me. My first foster mother taught me that adults are responsible and that they take life seriously. During the time I was in that first home, I was still in special education classes. In my second foster home, my foster parents taught me the things adults do: cleaning; cooking; and being a responsible student. During that time, I was in RSP classes but by the time I left my second foster home, I was finally in mainstream education classes. I felt very happy and proud of myself to know that after two years, I was finally in regular classes. Although I was then a regular student, I still did not feel satisfied. I felt that I was not working to my capacity and that I could do a lot more. I wanted to show everyone my full potential. I realized that when I set my mind to something, I don’t stop until I get it. When I arrived at my third foster home, I was in the honors program and was identified as gifted. Next year I will be taking Advanced Placement classes, which will give my college credits.
I like to consider my third foster home my real home and family because they have taught me many things and because they support me in everything I do. They treat me as if I were their real son. They give me love, kindness, strength and happiness. To me, they are my real parents. When I am sad and feel that all my problems are trying to bring me down, I look back at all the achievements I have made and what I can still do and I look at the important things in my life: my foster parents; my best friends; and Bienvenidos foster family agency. They give me the strength I need to confront my problems and overcome them. Bienvenidos has been a big part of my life. They have been in my life since the beginning of foster care to today. They helped me believe in myself and realize that I can accomplish anything I wish with effort and dedication. I don’t think I would be the person I am today without them. Everyone, and especially Bienvenidos, has taught me that you should not judge a book by its cover. A few years ago, I would never have thought I could be the person I am today. I would like to thank everyone who has helped me accomplish all my achievements and given me the strength I need to get to where I am today. Thank you.
“Having no family here, I have no help with my three kids. When I go to the doctor’s office, they are there for me. When my kids go hungry, they take time to feed them. Or just a simple need, they are there. One time, I was kicked out of my home and they watched my kids when I looked for housing.”
“Thank you for changing our lives and for giving us our daughter back.”
Brothers Cesar and Jose were removed from their birth family after their home was raided by police and the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). They were placed in foster care because their birth fathers were incarcerated, their birth mother was arrested for drugs, and they were being severely neglected.
Cesar and Jose were transferred to Bienvenidos Children’s Center from their initial foster home because it did not provide the nurturing environment they so desperately needed, and they were placed with the L. family, a Bienvenidos foster family. After the traumatic separation from their birth mother and their sister, who had essentially become their mother figure, and a less than nurturing
initial placement, Jose and Caesar were guarded and not easily trusting of their new caregivers.
With the warmth and stability provided by the L. family, Cesar and Jose have made great progress academically, socially, and emotionally. They work out regularly with their foster father who uses his home gym to teach discipline and respect for oneself and others. Cesar plays basketball with good friends at the local park, while Jose is now a member of his high school’s Junior Varsity football team. At a recent court hearing, both boys expressed pride in their academic achievement, having never before received Bs on report cards.
Angel
Two-year old Angel came to Bienvenidos Children’s Center Family Services Agency severely depressed. He never looked up or said a word to anyone. The first time Patricia, his social worker, engaged him in a play therapy session, he took a truck and loaded it with dollhouse furniture. He then pulled it out the door, acting out the displacement he and his family experienced leading to their
homelessness. His second time in play therapy, he picked up a gun and shot each and every doll. Angel was putting into action what he did not have the words to describe-his anger and desperation.
His therapist worked with him to help him understand his feelings. He needed someone to recognize his anger, which he had internalized into depression. The safety, consistency, and validation he experienced with us helped Angel heal; before long, he began playing and interacting with other children and adults happily.
Angel’s life could have followed the path that so many do, entering a cycle of destructive behavior by acting out in socially unacceptable ways, such as fire setting or harming small animals, others, and themselves. Our early intervention prevented the onset of a life that could have been in great peril. That is why early intervention is so critical to these little guys who have been subjected to the chaos, violence and trauma that no child should have to endure.
Lynette
Lynette was referred to us after her newborn tested positive for cocaine and was placed in the care of Bienvenidos Children’s Center. Immediately, we provided Lynette supportive, non-judgmental counseling that she so desperately needed. Five days a week, she worked with a social worker to examine her current life crisis and develop a plan of action to break the destructive cycle in which she was living.
Lynette became actively involved in our parenting education and support programs; however, she failed to comply with court-ordered drug testing, assuming the courts would release her daughter to her regardless of her lack of compliance. When reality hit and she realized she would not get her daughter back, she attempted suicide. For several days, her social worker supported
Lynette with intensive therapy, pulling her through the crisis.
Lynette made a commitment to comply with her court-ordered drug testing and continued her self improvement. Ultimately, she was able to heal the deep wounds within her, take responsibility for her life and become an involved community member. On the day her daughter was released to her, Lynette called us from court overflowing with happiness, gratitude and a continued commitment
to herself and her child. She had come such a long way.
Lynette continues to see her counselor weekly to maintain the progress she has made. We offer this continuous support to all parents of the children we serve.
Mary
Mary, a teenager, was at a crossroads, with one road leading to high risk behavior, such as drug use, gang involvement, pregnancy and dropping out of school. Her mother, recognizing her daughter needed help, but limited by financial resources, came to us.
Mary’s counseling with a Bienvenidos Children’s Center Mental Health therapist was neither easy nor magical. It was hard work. But little by little, their work developed into a mutually caring connection that was deeply healing for Mary. After some time, Mary’s family moved away, and she ended her treatment with us.
A year later, Mary’s therapist received a phone call from Mary’s mother, who was difficult to understand because she was in tears. The therapist was afraid something painful or bad was going on with Mary; however, her mother’s tears were of gratitude and love. She had called Mary’s therapist to thank her for changing their lives and for giving them their daughter back.
The attention, compassion, and structured therapy Mary received at Bienvenidos Children’s Center also had a positive impact on her academic success. Mary’s grades rose from Ds and Fs to As and Bs, and she created positive relationships with her teachers and peers. Mary is now applying to college, and she has rediscovered her love for her family and her passion for life. Through much hard work, will, and determination, this young woman is able to, for the first time in her life, look forward to her future with hope and excitement.
Aaron
During Aaron’s first session with our mental health therapist, he did not want to play with any of the play therapy toys, and the session ended without any interaction. The next visit was different.
He went straight to the play therapy room and he went right to th box that held the people toys. He picked up a woman doll, a baby boy doll and a man doll and laid the woman and baby boy dolls down on the table. He then took the man doll and used it to hit the woman and baby. Next, Aaron placed the man doll down on the table next to the woman and baby, and he went back to the box that held the other people figures. This time, he took out a very big man and held him in his hand high above his head. Aaron made the big figure swoop down to the table and swipe the man figure onto the floor. The little boy yelled in delight and said that the Super Man figure had come and saved his family from the bad man. Aaron cried in delight.
Through play therapy, he was able to express and work through his abuse issues. He was only four years old, and we were able to intervene and treat him early in his life. Many children don’t have a chance to work through their issues, and they end up carrying them into adulthood. That is why we are here, to provide therapy and intervention for the children, so they have a chance to deal with their problems early and can become productive, well-adjusted adults leading meaningful and happy lives.
Nellie
Nellie and her four siblings were placed in our foster care agency. Severely developmentally delayed due to severe abuse and neglect, she was two grades behind in school.
By petitioning Nellie’s school for two long years, her Bienvenidos Children’s Center social worker and her foster family were finally victorious in obtaining an individualized education program (IEP) for Nellie, allowing her to receive instruction tailored to her needs, rather than trying – unsuccessfully – to adapt to mainstream instruction. Placement in the IEP was possible only because Nellie’s social worker and therapist had researched and discovered funding available to Nellie’s school, based on Nellie and her brother’s Native American heritage. Six months after entering her IEP, Los Angeles Unified School District honored Nellie for her advancement and academic achievement.
David
David is a teenager who has been a part of the Bienvenidos family since the tender age of nine. Here is his story, in his words.
My life has not been easy. At a young age, I experienced many things a child should not have to, such as being removed from my mother and taken to a foster home at the age of nine. Not knowing what was happening and where I was being taken, I felt weak, scared and defenseless. At that moment, I realized my life would change. I had to grow up that day and become an adult. I felt I had to prove to everyone that I was not weak, scared and defenseless — that even though I was in special education classes, I could become smart and work my way up to be a gifted student and be in the honors program. Changing was not easy. I had to make sacrifices to become someone I did not know I could be. Throughout these changes, there were many people who helped me.
In foster care, I have learned many things that have helped me change and become a better person. In my first foster home, I learned that I was not alone and that there were people who cared about me and wanted to help me. My first foster mother taught me that adults are responsible and that they take life seriously. During the time I was in that first home, I was still in special education classes. In my second foster home, my foster parents taught me the things adults do: cleaning; cooking; and being a responsible student. During that time, I was in RSP classes but by the time I left my second foster home, I was finally in mainstream education classes. I felt very happy and proud of myself to know that after two years, I was finally in regular classes. Although I was then a regular student, I still did not feel satisfied. I felt that I was not working to my capacity and that I could do a lot more. I wanted to show everyone my full potential. I realized that when I set my mind to something, I don’t stop until I get it. When I arrived at my third foster home, I was in the honors program and was identified as gifted. Next year I will be taking Advanced Placement classes, which will give my college credits.
I like to consider my third foster home my real home and family because they have taught me many things and because they support me in everything I do. They treat me as if I were their real son. They give me love, kindness, strength and happiness. To me, they are my real parents. When I am sad and feel that all my problems are trying to bring me down, I look back at all the achievements I have made and what I can still do and I look at the important things in my life: my foster parents; my best friends; and Bienvenidos foster family agency. They give me the strength I need to confront my problems and overcome them. Bienvenidos has been a big part of my life. They have been in my life since the beginning of foster care to today. They helped me believe in myself and realize that I can accomplish anything I wish with effort and dedication. I don’t think I would be the person I am today without them. Everyone, and especially Bienvenidos, has taught me that you should not judge a book by its cover. A few years ago, I would never have thought I could be the person I am today. I would like to thank everyone who has helped me accomplish all my achievements and given me the strength I need to get to where I am today. Thank you.
“Having no family here, I have no help with my three kids. When I go to the doctor’s office, they are there for me. When my kids go hungry, they take time to feed them. Or just a simple need, they are there. One time, I was kicked out of my home and they watched my kids when I looked for housing.”
Patty, a single mother who has no family support and whose children’s father is uninvolved, who benefited from our Respite Daycare Services
“Thank you for changing our lives and for giving us our daughter back.”
Mother of Celia, a teen girl who benefited from our Mental Health Services
