Jake & Brian

Jake was five and Brian was only three years old when they were removed from the home they shared with their mother Rhonda. Sadly for these brothers, Rhonda had neglected to give them the care that young children need to be safe and healthy. Rhonda was addicted to methamphetamine and heroin, and as a result Jake and Brian were living each day surrounded by garbage and filth. To make matters worse, the children didn’t always have enough food or clothing. One day she left the boys with a stranger while she went out to get high.

After an investigation and court hearing, Jake and Brian were placed in foster care for their safety and protection. Michael, a CASA volunteer, was appointed to advocate for the best possible outcome for Jake and Brian. Michael hoped that Rhonda would succeed with the court-ordered services, overcome her drug addiction and be able to create a safe home for her sons. He knew, however, that it would be a difficult road, and that the next few months were a critical time in the boys’ lives.

Sadly, Jake and Brian were placed in separate foster homes because there were no foster parents available and willing to take both boys.  Through all the ups and downs they had experienced living with their mother they had learned to depend upon one another for companionship and security. Now they were only able to see each other during occasional visits. Jake began acting out against his foster parents, and was put on medication to treat severe behavioral problems. Despite the medication, Jake would bite and kick his foster mom when she tried to put him to bed or give him a bath. After three months, Jake was removed from the foster home because his foster parents no longer felt they were able to care for him. He was placed in a treatment center.

During this difficult time, the boys’ CASA, Michael, worked hard to make sure that Jake was getting the help he needed for his behavioral difficulties. Michael, unlike their Oregon Department of Human Services caseworker, lawyer and the juvenile judge, had only this one case to work on, and he spent many hours interviewing Jake and Brian’s teachers, doctors, foster parents, and other adults in their lives. Michael wanted to make sure he had all the information he needed to advocate for the best interests of the two young boys.

Michael knew that Jake had been hurt by the adults in his life, and did not trust that they would always be there for him. He felt lost and abandoned by his mother and distrusting of the other adults who had come and gone.  Michael began to work on helping Jake to feel love rather than fear toward adults by being a steady, calm presence in his life and making every scheduled visit with Jake.

Rhonda desperately wanted her sons back. Losing them was a powerful catalyst for turning her life around. She started attending drug rehab, enrolled back into school, and found a job. Michael recognized the great progress Rhonda was making, and recommended to the judge that Brian be returned home to her. Jake, however, remained at the treatment center because he was still having difficulties with adults and with anger issues. It was decided that he needed to stay there instead of risk another transition back to his mother at this time. 

Michael kept in frequent contact with Jake and did everything he could to show Jake that he was loved, and that he was there for him no matter what. Jake refused to see his mother, which she struggled to understand, and Michael worked to help Rhonda understand Jake’s anger and fear.

During this difficult time, Jake wanted to have the love and support of his little brother as much as possible. Michael made sure Jake and Brian saw each other frequently. The boys savored all the time they were able to spend together.  This bond between Jake and Brian, Michael could clearly see, was a steady source of comfort in the lives of both boys.

Michael advocated for patience from everyone involved to give Jake the opportunity to heal from the trauma he had experienced. After two years in foster care and treatment centers, Jake was reunited with his mother and his brother.
The boys are now both doing well, getting back into the swing of school and other activities that will continue to help them heal. Rhonda is still in school and is employed part time. Although Jake and Brian still struggle at times with their behavior, Rhonda has shown that she is capable of maintaining positive changes to give them the support they need.

What might have happened to Jake and Brian without Michael’s consistent support in their lives? Jake might have remained in foster care for many years, labeled as violent and difficult to care for. The patience, support and advocacy that Michael brought to the boys’ lives helped Jake to work through much of his anger toward his mother while helping Rhonda to better understand her son’s challenges. We cannot know what the outcome might have been for Jake and Brian without Michael’s presence, but we can be thankful that thanks to CASA and generous families like you, these brothers are being well cared for by their loving mother.