A Thank You to DCS Staff from a Youth

Earlier this month, Rebecca Stacks wrote a note to East Region DCS staff Kristen Bohannon, a DCS Family Service Worker and Katie Butler, a DCS Independent Living Specialist.  She has given DCS permission to publish it.

“It's bittersweet that in 9 days I'll be turning 21. Just to think that I entered the foster care system at 15.

From my past background before foster care, from losing everything so close to me in life, thinking nothing good would ever come around for me -  turned out I was wrong. The day I entered into the DCS Foster Care System was the day my whole life was in for a big change! A good change.

I will never forget the day that I walked up to Mrs. Estelee Henderson's front door and greeted with a warm loving hug and smile. The kind of warm loving hug and smile that you usually get from a mom. The feeling I've been searching for from my own mother but never did get. As time went on with me being in foster care, it was slowly preparing me for what God had planned for me.

I got to stay in one foster home with a family that cared for me as if I was their own. While watching many youth leave knowing they would regret it, well it broke my heart. But at my most worst heartbreaks you all stayed by my side and gave me the support that I needed to get through it all.

Because of the support you all showed and gave me, I graduated high school on time, I got accepted to college, I got off of academic probation, got my own apartment, got my own car, got the job doing what I love with all my heart.
Each and every one of you holds a special place in my heart & always will. I hope to continue growing and learning and to also use what I've learned from you all to pursue and grow in this crazy adult life.  

I can say truly that my experience with DCS foster care was an amazing & inspiring journey. I wouldn't be where I am today if it wasn't for y’alls support, care, love, and words of wisdom. Although there could've been less of passing around with caseworkers (lol) I know that y'all were doing the best you all could and were doing what you had to do. For that, thank you so much. I will never be able to tell you all exactly in words how much y'all mean to me and the great impact that was made in my life by you all. I hope saying thank you will amount up to it.
 
I hope to see you Katie Butler & you too Kristen Bohannon at my college graduation.

Yours Truly,
Rebecca Stacks