Lifelink Works to
Strengthen a Family through Foster Care
Deidre Perry�s Situation
Deidre Perry, 30 and mother of four, was
involved in an abusive relationship, and like many young women, struggled to
separate from such destructive liaisons. Deidre found herself homeless
and unemployed for two years and she lost custody of her
children.
How Lifelink Helped Deidre and Her Family
Deidre was, however, determined to get
her kids back. She sought assistance from Lifelink�s parenting and counseling
classes and worked with Betty Ward, a Lifelink foster parent, who cared for two
of her four children. Betty and Deidre had an open rapport and communicated
frequently regarding the children.
�My relationship with Deidre beautiful,�
Betty said. �She never gave me any trouble and has since told me that I could
see her children anytime I wanted. I also offered to be her babysitter.�
Also with Lifelink�s help, Deidre was
able to study and pass a test to earn a job as a bus driver. On the job, Deidre
demonstrated commendable performance and was able to move to another company
where she doubled her salary.
According to Lifelink foster-care worker
Jody Gates, �We at Lifelink make sure the parents have the necessary resources
to succeed. We go beyond the court-mandated six-month after-care program to
ensure successful results with family reunification.�
Deidre and Her Kids Today
Deidre overcame great obstacles to
regain her family with the help of Lifelink�s foster-care program. �You have to
have a lot of patience. I knew what I had to do get my kids back � keep a job
and get a place. I was homeless for a couple years and unemployed, but I now I
am bus driver and I got my kids back.�
Jody constantly comments on Deidre�s
accomplishments. �Deidre has a tough schedule and handles it very,� she said.
�She gets up every day at 4 a.m., makes sure her kids get to day care by 5 a.m.,
which is within walking distance, and walks to work herself by 5:30 a.m. When I
stop and think about it, I don�t know if I could do everything that she does.�
About Lifelink
Founded in 1895, Lifelink, related to
the United Church of Christ and based in Bensenville, Illinois, operates
programs at more than 50 locations in Illinois, Iowa, Florida, Missouri and
Wisconsin. Programs include: adoption; behavioral health services for substance
abuse treatment, domestic violence, and family counseling; continuing-care
retirement housing; Early Head Start; foster care; Head Start; health-care
facilities; Healthy Families; home-care services, home-delivered meals; housing
for seniors and physically challenged adults; intergenerational programs; Latino
family services; management and consulting services; residential treatment
programs for youth; and services to parenting adolescents and homeless youth.
