This week, a three-year-old little girl named Marissa, carrying only a few belongings in a trash bag, arrived at an Agape Foster Family home.
Marissa’s father has not been present in her life. Her mother struggles with addiction. Substance abuse brought unsafe and abusive men into her home, creating an environment an innocent child should never have to experience.
Marissa met her Agape social worker who picked her up from the county shelter. She was the first adult to make sure Marissa was safe, beginning to build trust. Her social worker brought her to her caring foster parents. Together, they are a strong support for Marissa, giving her the safety and care she has been missing.
Even with all this love you can still see the trauma she has been through. She flinches when they reach for her hand, avoids eye contact, and is having horrible nightmares.
We know the amount of trauma Marissa has been through will take time to heal. She will need a stable loving home, the support of a professional therapist, and safety so she can live without worry like a kid should.
Now we are turning to you —
because you’re a key part in Marissa’s future.
We urgently need to cover the cost of the support Agape will provide Marissa for the next year. You can help assure that she will have the space to heal and thrive.
Picture this… it’s what your gift will do:
When the social worker knocks at the door, Marissa will be so excited to see her! Her fear will start to melt away because she knows she is surrounded by adults she can trust. The social worker will sit on the floor with Marissa building castles for her princess out of blocks. They will smile and laugh together. It is an hour a week that Marissa can count on, an hour where she is a kid without the weight of the world on her shoulders.
While this play time is so important to Marissa, her social worker is moving mountains for her behind the scenes! She coordinated in-home therapy, has spoken with the teachers of her new preschool to ensure they will be prepared to help her, she has everything to advocate for her in court.
We need to make sure that Marissa continues to have this level of support so she can heal.
You can make a life-changing difference by making a gift today, providing support for Marissa and all the children of Agape Villages!
Will you please make your best gift to support Marissa?
You and I both know that Marissa needs and deserves adults advocating and caring for her.
A smile and a hug from someone she knows is safe.
It all starts with helping one child. A child like Marissa. Your gift today will send that social worker to Marissa’s new foster home every week, giving her the stability and comfort she so desperately needs.
So please, while you have my letter in your hand, give today to help keep Marissa’s home stable and open the door for other children like her.
Thank you for being the kind of person who makes sure children like Marissa are cared for.
For the kids,
Janet Kleyn, President
P.S. Your generosity today will help support Marissa and all the children at Agape in care this next year. Marissa is counting on you – and so am I. Please make a gift today.