Category: Stories

Archie’s Journey to Stability and Growth

When Andrea, an ACH Child and Family Services Kinship Connections specialist, was assigned to Archie’s case, she knew the journey ahead would require patience, empathy, and a strong network of support. Archie, a bright and energetic five-year-old boy, had recently been removed from his mother’s home due to trauma and an episode of paranoia that led to an unstable and unsafe environment.

The trauma Archie experienced left deep emotional scars, and his behaviors were often misunderstood, especially since he also displayed signs of autism. The road to stability and growth for Archie was going to be a long one, but with Andrea’s guidance, both Archie and his aunt, who had taken on the role of his primary caregiver, would soon find a way forward.

The Initial Challenges

Archie’s journey to safety and understanding started when Texas Child Protective Services (CPS) removed Archie from his mother’s home, located in Tarrant County. Since Archie’s father was not in the picture, CPS placed Archie in the care of his Aunt Sarah, a compassionate woman who also lived in Tarrant County. She had always wanted to help Archie but had never anticipated taking on the full-time responsibility of raising him. At first, Sarah struggled to connect with Archie, especially when his behaviors—such as heightened anxiety, meltdowns, and difficulties with communication—began to escalate.

His social interactions were challenging, and he was often misunderstood by family members, school staff, and even peers. Archie’s struggle with language was one of the biggest barriers. He had been raised in a household where only his mother’s language was spoken, and now that he was in a new environment, his lack of English skills made it difficult for him to understand or communicate with others.

Understanding Archie's Behaviors

After CPS placed Archie with his aunt, Our Community Our Kids referred Sarah to Kinship Connections so she could receive additional resources. That’s when Andrea was assigned to the kinship family.

From the beginning, Andrea knew that understanding the root causes of Archie’s behaviors was crucial to helping the family build a foundation of trust and connection. Through close collaboration with Sarah, Andrea identified how Archie’s behaviors were a combination of sensory sensitivities, social anxiety, and struggles with communication—common traits for children on the autism spectrum. It was clear that the behaviors weren’t just disruptive; they were a way for Archie to express confusion, fear, and frustration in a world that didn’t always make sense to him.

Andrea began coaching Sarah on how to respond to these behaviors using a trauma-informed, child-centered approach. She introduced her to Trust-Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI®), a model developed by TCU’s Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development that empowers caregivers to build connection through empathy and understanding. She also implemented Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), which focuses on reinforcing positive behaviors through structured, supportive methods.

Positive Reinforcement Through a Reward System

Andrea also worked with Sarah to implement a token economy at home, where Archie could earn tokens for exhibiting positive behaviors. These tokens could be exchanged for small rewards, such as extra playtime or a favorite snack. This system gave Archie a sense of accomplishment and control over his environment, which was vital for a child who had experienced so much instability.

TBRI’s emphasis on empowering principles—such as giving Archie a voice in decisions, using calm and consistent guidance, and maintaining a predictable routine—made an immediate impact. Sarah learned how to respond to Archie’s needs in ways that were both compassionate and effective. She began to notice that when she used clear, direct language and offered choices, Archie felt more secure and less anxious. 

A child's hand slides a red token across a table.

As a result, his outbursts became less frequent, and he started to engage more with her and his surroundings. The token economy, combined with TBRI’s emotional support techniques, allowed Sarah to see Archie’s progress in real-time, creating an environment that was nurturing for both of them.

Advocacy within the ISD

However, Andrea didn’t stop there. She also advocated for Archie within the school system. Knowing that Archie’s challenges were not only behavioral but also academic—especially with his language barrier—Andrea worked with the school district to secure additional resources for him. She arranged for English as a Second Language (ESL) support and for a dedicated special education professional to help Archie navigate the classroom.

After three months with Andrea, Archie and his Aunt Sarah are on the path to happiness. Today, Archie is thriving in a stable, loving home with his aunt. He is no longer defined by his past trauma or misunderstood for his behaviors. He is beginning to show signs of emotional and social growth, and Sarah continues to implement TBRI principles in their daily routines.

A Journey of Empathy and Growth

Though there are still challenges ahead, both Sarah and Archie know they are not alone. With the support of Andrea, ACH Child and Family Services, and a community that has rallied around them, they have created a home that is filled with understanding, connection, and hope for the future.

Archie’s journey is a testament to the power of empathy, advocacy, and trauma-informed care. Thanks to ACH and Andrea’s expertise and unwavering support, Archie is now on a path to success, surrounded by the people who care for him most.

ACH Child and Family Services strongly promotes the philosophy and practice that when children cannot be with their parents safely, the next best option is a relative such as a grandparent, aunt, uncle, sibling, or close family friends. Our Kinship Connections program places foster children in the home of a relative or person who knew the child before he or she was removed from the home. Research shows that kinship placements provide a sense of stability, identity and belonging during a time of crisis and help preserve the child’s cultural identity and relationship to their community. Kinship Connections is voluntary assistance to help families in the child welfare system adapt to their new role as caregiver. ACH also offers a similar free program, Kinship Navigator, for youth and families in the community who are not in the child welfare system.

Comic Book Artist Draws Praise from Kids in Transitional Living

Professional comic artist Tadd Galusha gives a drawing lesson via Zoom to residents at ACH Child and Family Services Wedgwood Transitional Living Program.

Good overcoming evil. Protagonists, antagonists, and antiheroes. Origin stories brimming with traumatic pasts and challenges and topped with resilience and hope. It’s not hard to see why the children in ACH’s care are often drawn to all things comics. 

The wildly imaginative world of comics allows kids a distraction from what they’re experiencing, but in a way that relates to the obstacles they’re facing in real life. Whether they realize it or not, comics are both an escape and a way to dream.

A Comical Night

Professional comic book artist Tadd Galusha rarely if ever gives a two-hour drawing lesson. But on a special night during one of the bi-weekly volunteer events at our Wedgwood Transitional Living program campus, that’s exactly what he presented to the young men in the program! Tadd, who is based out of Alaska and is friends with one of the Wedgwood volunteers, tuned in via Zoom and spent the evening drawing character after character — from Raphael (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) to Goku (Dragon Ball Z), plus a gnarly tyrannosaurus rex. The boys were glued to the monitor.

A few days prior, Tadd mailed several comics for each of the kids. They were all comics he had illustrated and/or wrote. In addition to publishing his own graphic novels, Tadd has worked for major publishers on properties such as Godzilla, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, GI Joe, and King Kong.

It’s not uncommon for the children at Wedgwood to be quiet and reserved when talking to adults. Their trust has been compromised, and they’re understandably wary of people they don’t know. Comic book night was NOT one of those nights.

Chatter, laughter and friendly teasing filled the room. Tadd had been briefed that the kids may be shy and that he may have to do most of the talking. It couldn’t have been farther from the truth.

Sometimes he could hardly fit a word in edgewise! The kids debated about hypothetical match-ups between comic characters (think Superman versus Batman), their favorite Marvel movies, their least favorite Marvel movies, and more. 

“When ACH’s volunteer mentors team up with our youth, amazing things happen!” says Kate Faggella-Luby, ACH volunteer mentor coordinator. “In the epic match up of community and belonging vs. isolation and trauma, COMMUNITY and BELONGING win every time.”

Heroes of Tomorrow

Eventually, the kids asked Tadd about his career. They peppered him with questions about illustration, graphic design, script writing, and college. The adults in the room glowed seeing the kids dream about a potential careers and goals. Tadd masterfully answered with optimistic and encouragement, but he was honest in that it’s a competitive industry that requires dedication and hard work.

The night flew by, and volunteers had to put a hard stop to the night when the clock struck 9 p.m. Both volunteers and children did not want the event to end.

It felt like a night of authentic comradery. People in our community and beyond showed up for these kids because they want to. Because they genuinely care and are invested in these children’s upbringing and future. Bridging the gap between our community and marginalized youth is one of the many ways ACH serves families and children. 

Thank you to Tadd, the volunteers, the Wedgwood team, and to Kate for orchestrating this unforgettable night!

Professional comic artist Tadd Galusha gives a drawing lesson via Zoom to residents at ACH Child and Family Services Wedgwood Transitional Living Program.

Wedgwood Transitional Living

Children who can’t live with their families or are difficult to place in a permanent family setting have a safe place to call home in the Wedgwood Transitional Living program. The program provides a stable, nurturing place for children ages 14-17 who have experienced severe trauma and, as a result, often have emotional outbursts, attempt running away, experiment with drugs, and other challenging behavior.

Wedgwood Transitional Living offers a place for them to heal, grow and learn independent living skills. Trained staff help the children graduate from high school, apply to college/continued education, enter the workforce, find volunteer opportunities, and develop healthy lifestyles. Counselors teach the children how to express their emotions in healthy, productive ways, cope, and manage their behaviors.

ACH is committed to providing safe environments for youth to begin the healing process and to develop lifelong skills that will support future placement through foster/adoption or independence. 

Wedgwood Funding Gap Flyer

One Woman’s Rewarding History with ACH Women’s Auxiliary

The ACH Women’s Auxiliary dates back to 1962. Here’s a story of one member who joined some 30 years later and is still actively involved.

Sheila Owen learned of ACH through a friend in the early ‘90s. She was working and had a child but still felt the calling to get involved in the community. When her friend told her that she could volunteer and bring her daughter, that sounded doable. At that time, All Church Home, which would later become ACH, had a group residential home on Summit Avenue. Members of the ACH Women’s Auxiliary were invited to holidays and birthday parties for the children in ACH’s care so the kids could experience a family get-together.

In those days, Sheila and family could actually take the kids to outings like miniature golf and other activities that let them share in the fun. And back then, the kids were often at the Summit location until they aged out of foster care, so the Auxiliary members were able to build up a relationship with them.

Still, it was hard to come home from work and want to provide quality time for her two daughters and attend Women’s Auxiliary Meetings. One night, she told her daughter she was going to skip the meeting because she was just too busy. Taylor, her daughter who had accompanied her mom on many a visit, said “Mom, you have to go—you can’t miss that meeting!”

Sheila Owen (left) with daughters Taylor and Courtney.

When Taylor went on to college, it was Sheila’s younger daughter, Courtney, who would join mom in events like the Holiday Store, where ACH kids could pick out gifts for their family and youth care specialists. Mother and daughter would help out by helping the kids shop and even wrap their gifts for them.

Sheila is glad that both of her daughters understood that not all kids are as lucky as they were. And she’s grateful that they learned how good it feels to help others.

Sheila was glad to see ACH move on to placing children in foster homes, so they could grow up in a family environment rather than a group home. She welcomed the approach of preserving families and now of placing children with extended family whenever possible. She believes in change for the better, but we’re grateful one thing hasn’t changed: She’s still actively involved with the ACH Women’s Auxiliary.

Want to make your own history in the Women’s Auxiliary?

Learn More
The ACH Women’s Auxiliary

ACH Child and Family Services can trace its beginning to 1915, when a group of women dedicated to providing a safe home and hope for a good future to orphans and destitute women with children founded the All Church Home for Children.

In 1962, Board President Mrs. Ben L. Bird formed the Women’s Auxiliary to provide love and attention for the children living in ACH’s care.

The Women’s Auxiliary was reinstated in 2015 to support children and families served by the organization through service opportunities and advocacy in our community.

Women’s History Month is EVERY month at ACH and we are thankful to all who give hope to our children. Find out more here.

Blake’s Journey: Support for Teenage Anger Management

Blake’s dad lost all hope for his son. He didn’t know where to find support for his son's challenges with anger management. The team at ACH’s Turning Point helped Blake and his family find renewed hope.

Blake is 15 years old and navigating adolescent insecurities and common teen struggles, such as anger management. Additionally, he feels the effects of his parent’s divorce. According to the UCL Centre for Longitudinal Studies, there is a 16% increase in the risk of behavior problems if the child is between 7 and 14 years old when their parents divorce. Blake’s parents have done all they could to show him love, but his anger still rapidly grew. After returning to live with his dad, Adam, and stepmom, his family knew they needed to find him additional support.

He had attended other programs and facilities for help in the past, but nothing seemed to have a lasting impact on Blake’s health. Blake’s behavior would continue to worsen as threats of harm to others were made. Blake’s dad found ACH’s Turning Point program. Turning Point is a specialized, urgent mental-health care program that provides crisis interventions and acute stabilization for youth. It is a short-term placement that is designed to help youth and their families receive urgent relief of behavior symptoms as well as therapeutic interventions that prevent hospitalization.

Turning Point is Not Like Other Programs

Adam had sought support for teenage anger management many times before. He had very little hope that Turning Point would be any different. Upon Blake’s arrival, Adam was already preparing to arrange for Blake’s next treatment facility after he left ACH. Angela Macleod, Turning Point Program supervisor, reached out to Blake’s dad assuring him that “Turning Point is not like any other facility. We’re confident in the support we can offer your son, we’ve just got to give him a chance.”

When Blake arrived at Turning Point, it was clear his anger prevented him from knowing how to communicate his thoughts, understand his emotions, or express his needs. Our team takes time to give Blake individualized attention, intentional care, and understand his situation. After a few days of transition and care, a treatment meeting is scheduled between Blake, his dad, a therapist, and our ACH team to better understand what’s been going on at home and school. Our Turning Point team shares the ways they’ve seen Blake progress and brings clarity to the family. The team taught him coping and life skills and engaged him with therapeutic activities to help him transition back home. He also continued to meet with a therapist throughout his time at Turning Point both individually and as a family. Blake was also encouraged to engage with the other residents of the program to learn to work with not only staff but his peers too.

Our Team is Here to Support Even After You Return Home

ACH’s Turning Point is a two-week program that offers specialized care to clients. Angela shares, “From the time Blake came into ACH’s program until the day he left, there was a significant difference in him. When he came into our program, he had a “tough guy” attitude. When he left, he gave me a hug and said thank you.” Blake was discharged from Turning Point and returned home to live with his dad, and not to another facility. A short while after Blake returned home, Adam shared with our team his progress, “He is doing great! Complete turnaround! There are some things here, and he is a typical teenager, but overall better. THANK YOU SO MUCH!”

Turning Point is making a difference not only in the lives of the clients but in the entire family as well. Everyone feels more confident and aware about working through anger management issues.

Learn More About Turning Point
ACH’s Turning Point Program

Located on our Wedgwood Residential Campus, Turning Point is an innovative crisis stabilization and respite program delivered in a home-like setting for youth in foster care ages 10-17. Turning Point acts as a caring alternative to what can be more traumatizing hospitalizations. It offers support for teenage anger management, plus several other resources for behavioral challenges.

Resilience That Leads a Youth Home

ACH staff work diligently to meet the needs of youth while seeking opportunities to support caregivers and reunite families.

Tucker has grown up believing he is not wanted or loved. His parents were in and out of his life for most of his childhood and eventually abandoned him, leaving his grandparents to care for him. Tucker learned to cope with his emotions through food and self-harm and over time, his behavior became aggressive and harmful. To add to his trauma, Tucker and his grandparents had conflict from the start: Neither Tucker nor his grandparents knew how to communicate, respond, or care for each other. It was determined that the best thing for Tucker was to not return home.

The best solution for Tucker was to move into ACH’s Residential Treatment Center (RTC), an innovative program that puts our most vulnerable youth on an accelerated path to success by helping them understand they are in a safe place with adults who can be trusted. The goal of Tucker’s time at the RTC was to help him heal from his past trauma and connect him with a support system before eventually living successfully in a family.

Set on a Path to Heal

Tucker came in lonely and depressed. He had a lot of anxiety and did not have self-value. He didn’t trust others and also had a lot of built-up anger and frustration. He remembers that he had been so depressed that the anger didn’t initially show in his behavior. Tucker would start fights with others for no reason or just to be difficult. He didn’t understand how he was feeling and needed specific and intentional care for healing from his past.

For over a year, the RTC staff patiently cared for Tucker. They met him where he was and carefully evaluated the right support he needed. Tucker shares, “At the RTC I had a good support system, and the staff was really understanding. They were encouraging and gave me a shove in the right direction.” There were many moments Tucker was not proud of, but each time he learned from them. He eventually was able to attend the local public school on his own and take other big strides toward growth. ACH Therapist Catrena Boswell shares, “I am most proud of his resilience and ability to tap into those strengths. He has increased his ability to challenge himself by being vulnerable and moving through his uncomfortable feelings.”

Tucker loves to draw and has learned other coping skills on how to respond to his emotion. He found self-worth and learned to love himself. It wasn’t just the skills and tools he learned at the RTC, but the people. Catrena shares how the team’s consistency impacted Tucker, “He’s given himself time, took risks by opening up to others, ACH staff, and allowed himself to build attachments.” The ACH team played a huge role in modeling forgiveness and understanding. They were willing to be patient with him.

Families Need Support and Healing Too

Tucker’s behavioral health was improving and at this point was having regular visits and overnight stays at his grandparents’ home. Yet, the family needed more support to ensure a smooth and sustainable transition back home for Tucker. Clinical Manager of Treatment Services Amy Carter initiated the support for Tucker’s grandparents by referring them to ACH’s Kinship Connections team. Kinship Connections is a voluntary program that offers support to families who are caring for relative children. Kinship Connections Specialist Rebecca Cadena provided care and support to Tucker’s grandparents. Rebecca shares, “One of my goals is to offer resources and support that would ensure a youth stays home. How can we help families make this happen? We know that all kids just want is to go home.” The truest thing for all youth, Tucker included, is that he wanted to go home. He wanted to be with his family, his grandparents. Our team understands that it is sometimes very complex, and care and service are needed for both the child and the caregiver.

Tucker’s grandma was open, receptive, and eager for support. Rebecca introduced them to the Trust Based Relational Intervention® framework, encouraged them to have written goals, and established a family service plan. Rebecca discovered early on that Tucker’s grandparents have their own past to heal from. Rebecca’s role also enabled her to be there to care for them emotionally. She is ready to support the family in any way they need. “The transition is crucial. I’ll still be there, as long as the family needs it. I’m only a text or call away.”

Supporting Reunited Families

ACH’s Continuum of Care enables our team to come alongside not only the child but the family on the other end. Our team at the Residential Treatment Center showed Tucker patience and cared for him as he learned to heal from his past. Our Kinship Connections team supported his grandparents while they gathered resources and prepared for Tucker’s transition home. Tucker and his grandparents won’t be alone in the transition home either. Our team will remain alongside them for support. It makes all the difference to have someone there who, no matter what, remains in your corner to help you. Tucker recalls, “It made me feel loved. It made me feel like I am worth something.” Both Tucker and his grandparents are hopeful. They have a greater understanding of each other. They are much quicker to forgive one another and offer the other patience. There will be bumps in the road, but they are more prepared for them, and they aren’t going through it alone.

“ACH has a large team of supporters for our children whether Kinship, Foster Care support, supervised independent living (LIFE Project), programs like Morris Transitional Living, and the Youth Emergency Shelter at Wichita – we have a variety of ways to help the community,” shares Program Manager Akasha Lira. It takes a community to care for a child. When family reunification is possible, our team is ready to help.

Support Stories of Hope
Residential Treatment Center (RTC)

The Robert and Jane Ferguson Residential Treatment Center (RTC) is an important part of a continuum of services designed to help children with significant behavioral and mental health issues achieve permanency in a family setting and/or receive a level of care that can help them heal from trauma. While ACH has several programs that address this need, the RTC offers a longer-term program for teenagers with this level of acuity. The RTC is the only one of its kind in Texas and joins professional home-based care, therapeutic foster care, support services, and foster care in the ACH continuum of care. These integrated services were developed to reconnect children with their biological families or when that is not possible, to find them a forever family with relatives or adoptive families.

Kinship Connections

Kinship Connections is a voluntary program that offers support to families who are caring for a relative’s child or children. We don’t want families to be overwhelmed with all the new responsibilities, so we offer services such as support groups, parent education, in-home services, referrals, concrete services, and assistance with licensure or adoption. With ACH, there’s no need to go it alone.

The Crutcher Family

Yes, Yes, and Yes Again

The journey of adoption holds many uncertainties but with the right support, the Crutchers are equipped to meet their children's needs.

“Children in the foster care system have experienced trauma,” ACH Foster Care and Adoption Specialist Cheryl Donovan explains. “It is a painful journey for them, but the difference adoption makes in their lives is beyond measure. They are wanted, are given another chance at having a childhood, and have opportunities for the future.”

Adoption was always a part of the Crutcher family plan. Heather and Dave went to grade school together, but it wasn’t until 28 years later that they reconnected, fell in love, and got married. With no children of their own, they opened their hearts to earnestly seek out and care for other children without families. They wanted to provide a safe and stable home for vulnerable kids that needed support.

“We started researching and looking for an adoption agency. We selected ACH because they’re well established with a great history.”

-- Heather Crutcher

The Crutchers began the process of gaining licensure for a matched adoption in 2020. There was paperwork to be filled out, information to file, and training courses to take. Many of their meetings and trainings were held online due to COVID, but an ACH Foster Care and Adoption Specialist remained alongside to conquer the in-depth process together.

They knew the journey could be long and were ready to endure the challenges. The Crutchers remained persistent and eventually everything was approved and finalized—they were licensed for adoption the week of Christmas! Heather and Dave were ready to find their match and provide children with a forever home.

Heather and Dave said ‘Yes’ and never looked back

Heather and Dave always knew they wanted to adopt a sibling group. They each have siblings of their own and enjoyed having a full house and growing up with “automatic friends.” Heather and Dave also recognized that adoption for a child, as exciting as it is, is also difficult. They wanted the child they adopted to have someone else in the home who they were already bonded with to transition and grow up with.

They were notified about three sweet sisters, Abbey, Emma, and Ava, ages 5-7, in need of a forever family.  “Our hearts were drawn to them and we said yes. But our story is a little unique. With our girls, it wasn’t just one immediate ‘yes’ and we were matched,” Heather recalls. After Heather and Dave’s initial ‘yes’ to pursuing adoption of Abbey, Emma, and Ava, they received another email that explained two of the girls have DiGeorge syndrome.

DiGeorge syndrome occurs when a small part of a chromosome is missing and can result in the poor development of several body systems1. More extreme cases included heart defects, poor immune system function, a cleft palate, low levels of calcium in the blood and delayed development with behavioral and emotional problems. The symptoms and treatment would vary. The Cruchers wouldn’t immediately know what kind of medical attention the girls would need throughout their lives because of their medical condition.

The Crutchers were unfamiliar with DiGeorge syndrome, but what they did know was there was no way they could back down from these girls now. Heather shares, “We prepared our hearts for what it could mean raising girls with DiGeorge, we were willing to go beyond what was expected, and committed to saying ‘yes’ for our girls, again.” Heather and Dave had not yet met the girls, but already their hearts were bursting for them.

They never doubted that the girls were meant to be with them

The Crutchers were matched with the girls in September of 2021 and their formal names as Crutchers would become Abigail, Emmaline, and Ava Grace. Heather and Dave were patient: They never doubted Abigail, Emmaline, and Ava Grace were meant to be with them. They were joyful and gracious through each bump in the road because they were confident the day would soon come when they would finally welcome the girls home forever.

It wasn’t until the end of January 2022 that Heather and Dave first met the girls in San Antonio. They were intent on bonding and played a lot that weekend to get to know each other. The next step was for the girls to visit Heather and Dave and stay with them at their home in North Richland Hills. At this time, an epic snowstorm hit, and all travel was canceled. What was supposed to be a 4-day visit turned into a 24-hour stay. The girls flew from San Antonio on Monday and left Tuesday.

Heather wasn’t upset or bitter when she recalled the delays and changes, she was just thankful the girls were able to visit at all. Even seeing them for just one day was all she could hope for. Again, they played and laughed, a lot! The goodbye was even harder than before. “It was heart-wrenching saying goodbye,” Heather confessed. Yet there was great hope knowing this would not be the end of their story.

Now with a part of their hearts with the girls, they couldn’t wait for placement day. Heather and Dave made one more visit to see the girls, bonded even more, and learned each other’s personalities even better. “When it was time to say goodbye there were a lot of tears from all of us. The girls didn’t want to leave, and we didn’t want to leave. It was heartwarming. The bonding had already started which was an amazing feeling.” This goodbye was a little different. They knew the next time they would see the girls in person would be when they came to live with them forever. There was an eagerness for what was to come.

In March, the girls officially moved in!

ACH helps provide the resources for the unexpected journey ahead

“ACH helped us fill our toolbox for the unknowns that come with adoption, and we felt more prepared to welcome home our girls,” Heather shares.

There can be many unknowns that await adoption parents. Each child is unique and it can’t be predicted how past experiences and traumas will affect them. ACH is present to help parents feel prepared and supported throughout the transition. The Crutchers were no exception.

Heather recalls the early weeks of their transition, “All the things they train us for that could happen, I feel like we experienced in the first 6 weeks of the girls’ transition.” As developmental delays resulting from their past trauma became more apparent, they were intent on making playtime more educational. New discipline techniques needed to be adjusted as Heather and Dave discovered areas the girls may not have had attention in before.

“A sense of belonging is crucial for all of us. A forever family is the greatest blessing of all time.”

-- Cheryl Donovan
ACH Foster Care and Adoption Specialist

Some of the techniques they found helpful and continue to use today come from the Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI®) training taught by the ACH team. Heather and Dave try to clearly communicate expectations to the girls, prepare them for what’s coming next, and offer choices to empower the girls. “This has made a huge difference in how we can care for them,” Heather shares.

In addition to two of the girls having a mild form of DiGeorge syndrome, Heather and Dave discovered that the girls had also experienced a high level of medical neglect in their past that now required an increased amount of attention. This didn’t stop Heather and Dave’s love. They were committed to giving fully of themselves to Abigail, Emmaline, and Ava Grace through their transition into a new family and home. Though at times difficult and trying, they never gave up, lost hope, or doubted these girls were meant to be with them.

Cheryl shares, “The Crutchers gave them a normal life with family outings, church attendance, and activities. They were committed to these children.” Heather and Dave established regular rhythms for the girls including summer activity classes at The Little Gym®, church on Sundays, regular visits to Play Street Museum, and letting Abbey, Emma, and Ava just be kids.

The Crutchers couldn’t imagine their family any other way

Walking through this journey with ACH, Heather and Dave were connected to a community of other adoptive parents and staff ready to help with any need. Heather is thankful for the relationships she made along with way. “ACH brought us a lot of connections and relationships with other couples either going through the same thing or wanting to be on the same journey as us,” she says. “We never felt alone throughout the process.” These couples have remained a support and source of encouragement for Heather and Dave. They can reach out to these families to ask for advice, to relate with, and to share experiences.

Heather encourages, “It’s a wild ride at first, but buckle down. You don’t know the curveballs you’re going to get, but you will find what’s normal for your family. You really just have to be advocates for your kids.”

Heather wondered if they had been too afraid of the “unknowns,” yet one thing she has no regrets about is saying “yes” to their girls. Abigail, Emmaline, and Ava Grace have changed their lives for the better. They are loving, affectionate, and full of so much hope and joy. Their smiles are sure to brighten anyone’s day.

“A sense of belonging is crucial for all of us,” adds ACH’s Cheryl Donovan. “A forever family is the greatest blessing of all time.”

There are still many unknowns Heather and Dave are patiently waiting to discover, but they are better equipped, and not alone, on their amazing journey.

Learn More About Adoption

ACH Volunteers: Meet Melissa

Volunteer to Employee

Melissa Burdett called ACH when she was in the process of moving from Oregon to Texas to attend graduate school at TCU and begin the Karyn Purvis Institute. She then volunteered at our Robert and Jane Ferguson Residential Treatment Center for a year. Melissa is a TBRI® practitioner, which stands for Trust Based Relational Intervention. This trauma-informed response was created by the Karyn Purvis Institute and is practiced by the ACH staff.

ACH Volunteer Services Manager Megan Stephenson shares, “Melissa has been a joy with her knowledge of TBRI. She’s been so helpful to teach others because of her expertise.”

Melissa shares her experience as an ACH volunteer:  

When I first called Megan to speak with her about volunteering at ACH, she told me about the teenagers at the Residential Treatment Center (RTC). I’m a foster/adoptive mom of five and teenagers are not new to me, yet I was intimidated by the idea of teens in a residential placement.  What would they be like? Would I be able to connect with them? I’m used to little ones in care that can snuggle up next to me and read books or sing songs, little ones who look to me for connection, safety, and love.  But teenagers in residential care??  That’s a whole different galaxy, isn’t it? I mean, what if they don’t like me?  I’m embarrassed to admit it. A part of me still worries about being rejected and I wondered how the teens would respond to me. 

Then I met them. They turned my world upside down in the best ways.

Each Tuesday night I hop in the van and drive to Fort Worth to hang out with some incredible people.

We’ve painted pictures, planted a garden, had Nerf wars, made paper airplanes, played basketball, drew a Monopoly board in chalk, conquered Wordle, chased each other around with foam burritos and laughed, talked, and laughed some more. 

“I’ve seen the changes in them through their artwork, once so dark and tormented, now displaying hope, color, joy, and growth.”

These kids have been through so much. Trauma has hit them hard, but at the end of the day, they are still kids longing to know that they are worthy of love, that they are seen, heard, and valued.  They are kids who want to know that they are not forgotten or discarded.  They are precious regardless of their survival behaviors.

A trusting relationship with a safe adult can radically change the trajectory of a child’s life, altering brain chemistry and healing neuropathways. Many think it’s too late for teens to experience healing, but in fact, the brain is very open to change, growth, and repair in the teen years. 

Over the course of nine months at ACH, I have seen incredible growth in some of the teenagers.  Many have moved on to supported transitional housing.  Some are nearing graduation out of the RTC and into a foster home or relative placement. I’ve seen the changes in them through their artwork, once so dark and tormented, now displaying hope, color, joy, and growth. There is an openness, dreams for the future, connection with friends and family–even connection with me.

A part of my heart is with these kids always.  I can’t help but feel connected to them and their stories, invested in their growth and healing. In fact, I became so invested that now I find myself privileged to be on staff with ACH.  I love getting to see kids in many of the ACH programs and watch their progress!

Serving at ACH has given me the opportunity to love kids who at face value may appear unlovable. Perhaps I have made their days a little brighter and showed them that they aren’t forgotten.  Perhaps I have contributed a bit to their growth and transformation. But I can tell you for sure they have changed me. They have taught me that every person regardless of their background or behavior is worthy of love, care, and connection. Underneath that survival behavior lies a precious human.  This is true of all of us – each and every one.  I pray that I can live my life through a lens of compassion because I have seen firsthand that compassion brings connection and connection changes lives.

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Melanie’s Journey

One Mom's Journey to Freedom

ACH's Families Together program helps Melanie find confidence in herself to be the mom she aspires to be for her son.

Research shows that it can take up to 7 attempts to leave before a survivor permanently leaves an abusive partner. The main reason women have a difficult time leaving is fear of where they will go or who they could turn to for help. Oftentimes their partner has isolated them from friends and family leading them to believe there is no other life to aspire to.

Melanie had been told by her abuser for years that no one loved or cared about her. Since childhood, she craved the love and support every child needs and deserves. She lost her mother to suicide and was neglected by her father. Seeking affirmation from men in relationships became what she chased after. It didn’t take long before she was mixed in with the wrong crowd, making poor decisions, and losing every ounce of self-worth she had in herself. She continued in the pattern of pursuing toxic, abusive relationships and drug use throughout high school and into her adult years.

When something has been rooted so deep within you, the habits seem nearly impossible to uproot, especially on your own.

Melanie reconnected with her high school boyfriend, Jacob. He showed her affection, told her he’d do anything for her, and wanted to take care of her. Having already broken all relationships with her family, she agreed to move to another state to be with him. She didn’t think there was anything in Texas for her anymore. After a short time into their relationship, the two lost their first child together before birth, which Melanie believed strengthened their bond together. Despite the present abuse, the heartache brought them closer and would sustain their relationship even longer.

Trapped With No Clear Way Out

Melanie would soon feel more alone than she could ever imagine. Jacob wouldn’t allow her to have a job, make friends, or have any sense of freedom. She was able to remain in contact with her sister, who continued to listen but given her past life choices, kept her at arm’s length.

Melanie had experienced narcissistic control and verbal and emotional abuse in her previous relationships, but the physical abuse continued to increase with Jacob’s growing drug use. Not having anywhere else to go or anyone else to turn to, she would endure the abuse day after day.

Every time she attempted to escape, Jacob wooed Melanie back. Each time, Melanie took inventory of her life and believed Jacob’s words, “No one else could possibly care about me. He’s the only one that loves me. This must be what love looks like.” With no other option or hope for a better life, Melanie always returned to captivity.

Then Melanie became pregnant again. The turmoil to leave remained, but now with a baby almost here, she couldn’t risk trying to leave and stepping into the unknown. The final month of her pregnancy was an absolute nightmare of torment and abuse. It was the worst she had ever experienced and continued after her son was born. “Jacob continued using drugs, the physical abuse worsened, and he would drive erratically with our son in the back. It was terrifying.”  

“I hadn’t been there for very long and didn’t know people very well, yet I really felt at home at that moment.”

-- Melanie, upon moving into Families Together

Relief came a month after her son was born. Jacob was finally arrested for giving Melanie black eyes. With the car in her name, Melanie made her way back to Texas. She secured temporary stays for her and her son with different nonprofits and organizations. Yet, in the midst of fear and continued lack of support, the temptation of past securities continued to haunt her. Melanie relapsed into her former drug use, severing any trust she had begun to build in her relationship with her family. She hated herself for it – again thinking very little of herself. Gazing at her son, she knew he needed better, if not for herself, she wanted more for him. Melanie committed to begin the slow process of cleaning herself up. She found organizations that would give her and her son a roof over their head and hope for another day. After a 30-day stay at A Better Tomorrow, she got connected to ACH’s Families Together program.

Families Together Became a Place to Call Home

Melanie remembers her and her son’s first month living at Families Together. The ACH team along with the other moms and their kids were making and decorating Halloween cookies. Melanie recalls seeing her son with icing all over his face when an ACH team member noticed, commented, and they all laughed together. A seemingly insignificant moment meant so much to Melanie, “I hadn’t been there for very long and didn’t know people very well, yet I really felt at home at that moment.” She felt embraced and supported.

The Families Together team encouraged Melanie to slow down and take some time to care for herself and her own healing. Family Care Specialist Sharla Hosford remembers her first impression of Melanie: “She was unsure of herself and what she was doing. She would beat down on herself. We wanted to help her see that she is worth it, has value, and is capable of accomplishing so many things.”

Melanie needed others to believe in her so she could learn to also believe in herself. She was very open and receptive to all the resources and help Families Together offered. She attended the weekly Nurture Group with the other moms where they supported each other, shared parenting advice, and learned from one another.

While at Families Together, Melanie not only experienced mental and emotional healing, but practical steps toward growth and independence. She was able to find day care for her son so she could work, provide insurance coverage for her and her son, purchase a car, and save money to one day live on her own.

“I love empowering moms to believe in themselves again and helping each of them realize what it took to get here. They’ve been torn down for so long – we help to build them back up.”

-- Sharla Hosford, Family Care Specialist

One of the most significant ways Sharla and the rest of the team were present in supporting Melanie was in the rebuilding of her family relationships. They reminded her that things take time, the trust needed to be gained back, and to be encouraged by her growth. Melanie was growing – in her confidence, in her self-awareness, in her independence. In her humble wisdom, Melanie shares, “One of the main things I’ve learned is that things take time. You didn’t mess up everything up in one day – it was gradual. And it’s going to take even longer to fix those things and rebuild, especially relationships.” Melanie’s family saw her commit to ACH’s Family Together program for the entire year and a half, which was a new feat for her.

Melanie always prioritized the wellness of her son. He gave her boldness, hope, and confidence to seek change. They soon were able to move into their own apartment. A huge accomplishment.

Finally Finding Sustainable Freedom

It has been over a year since Melanie moved into her own apartment with her son and left ACH’s Families Together program. She not only finds freedom from her abuser, but the past that haunted her. She’s confident in herself, in what she and her son deserve, and strives for her dreams again. She’s going to school to one day become a counselor.

“I am really grateful for ACH. I feel like if I hadn’t been here, I don’t know where I would be.”

Being at ACH allowed Melanie the opportunity to get her feet under her, know her self-worth, and take back control of her life. ACH’s Families Together program has a great impact because of the care of employees like Sharla, who is passionate about helping moms and families: “I love empowering moms to believe in themselves again and helping each of them realize what it took to get here. They’ve been torn down for so long – we help to build them back up.”

Names changed to protect privacy.

*Did you know that October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month? In Texas, 183 women were killed by a male intimate partner in 2020. 45% of those women were in the process or had made attempts to leave the relationship (Texas Council on Family Violence, 2020). On average, a victim will leave and return to the abuser 7 times before leaving that relationship permanently (The National Domestic Violence Hotline, 2022).

What is Families Together?

ACH’s Families Together Program provides transitional housing for mothers and their children who are experiencing homelessness due to intimate partner domestic violence. The program offers a safe and stable living environment while they work to overcome the trauma that led to their homelessness and return to independent living. Families receive intensive case management and therapeutic services designed to help them heal from the trauma and victimization they’ve experienced while gaining the skills they need to promote long-term self-sufficiency and obtain stable housing.

Support Moms Like Melanie

Palio’s Pizza Café

Palio's Pizza Café Provides More than Pizza for ACH Families

Victims of intimate partner domestic violence enjoy dinner with their kids before participating in healing, volunteer-led nurture groups

Every Wednesday for the past year, the team at Palio’s Pizza Café has been generously providing a meal for the mothers and their children in ACH’s Families Together program. The team has never met the moms and many have never visited an ACH campus. But they remain steadfast in providing meals for these families week after week.

The ACH team connected with owner Dave Hoffman to learn more about how a simple meal request during Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October of 2021 turned into an ongoing partnership.* It turns out that Dave knew one meal just wasn’t enough. He wanted to do more so he initiated an opportunity to continue supporting Families Together.

A family-focused business

Dave opened the Palio’s Pizza Café on Bryant Irvin, the first of three locations, in 2007. Dave has a giving spirit and makes sure his staff and customers are both well appreciated and cared for. He models empathy and encourages his team to be the change they want to see. Catering Manager Charity Mullins remembers enjoying many pizzas with her family before she joined the team. “A heart of generosity and a culture of caring is what Dave has passed down to his team,” shares Charity. Dave has been like an uncle to her, their families have grown up together, and Charity says the warmth you feel as a guest is spread from the care you feel as an employee.

“We see a need and we want to help fill it. This is such a cool thing we get to do. It’s more than just making pizza. As long as there is a need, we are happy to help.”

-- Charity Mullins, Palio’s Pizza Café

Charity has enjoyed learning more about ACH throughout the partnership. At each visit, Megan Stephenson, ACH Volunteer Coordinator, shares updates on the program with the Palio’s team. Charity confesses, “This is close to my heart. My cousin was almost in foster care due to a domestic violence situation and I have family members that were almost placed in the foster care system. ACH has become close to my heart. It’s more personal.” The families in ACH’s care recently expressed their gratitude to Palio’s and presented them with a ‘thank you” poster. With a big smile, Charity remembers the joy they felt when receiving it. “It made it more real. We’re impacting people.”

Palio’s Pizza Café provides a meal for all the mothers and their children in ACH’s Families Together program once every week. One week they provide pizza and the next pasta dishes. Their team is service oriented. The number of mothers in the Families Together program fluctuates throughout the year, but the Palio’s team is ready for any order change to accommodate all the mouths to feed. As the number of families in the program has increased, they graciously have continued to supply more. One year ago, they provided 4 pizzas and a small salad on a pizza night. With a full house today, they are providing 8 pizzas and 2 large catering salads.

Our volunteers turn a nourishing meal into nurturing

On these pizza and pasta nights, the mothers participate in a volunteer-led Nurture Group where they encourage one another, learn parenting skills, and heal from their past. The kids also take part in a separate Nurture Group that supports children healing from trauma. The meals provided by Palio’s Pizza Café relieve the single moms from dinner duty and provide an opportunity to enjoy a meal and time with their kids before group time.

ACH is grateful to community partners like Palio’s Pizza Café for their continuing support of our programs. We know that the moms in Families Together really look forward to and appreciate their generosity. We encourage you to pay it forward—stop in, have a meal, and thank the folks at Palio’s for caring for those less fortunate.

*Did you know that October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month? In Texas, 183 women were killed by a male intimate partner in 2020. 45% of those women were in the process or had made attempts to leave the relationship (Texas Council on Family Violence, 2020). On average, a victim will leave and return to the abuser 7 times before leaving that relationship permanently (The National Domestic Violence Hotline, 2022).

What is Families Together?

ACH’s Families Together Program provides transitional housing for mothers and their children who are experiencing homelessness due to intimate partner domestic violence. The program offers a safe and stable living environment while they work to overcome the trauma that led to their homelessness and return to independent living. Families receive intensive case management and therapeutic services designed to help them heal from the trauma and victimization they’ve experienced while gaining the skills they need to promote long-term self-sufficiency and obtain stable housing.

Learn More About Families Together

Meet Suzie

Suzie’s daughter struggles with drug addiction. One weekend the daughter brought Suzie’s 4 grandchildren, ages 2-17, to visit Suzie and never returned. Suzie found herself as the full-time caregiver for all 4 grandchildren, while Suzie herself lives on a fixed Social Security income. Suzie encountered obstacles she never knew existed when caring for kinship children. She needed to enroll her grandchildren in school but was unable to because they did not have the appropriate legal paperwork. Fortunately, Suzie found ACH’s Kinship Navigator program through an online search. 

A Kinship Navigator specialist was aware of the McKinney-Vento Act, which ensures that each homeless child or youth has equal access to the same free, appropriate public education as provided to other children and youths. She was able to contact the school district’s McKinney-Vento liaison and get Suzie’s school-aged children enrolled in school.  

The Kinship Navigator was able to help Suzie apply for state Medicaid, SNAP benefits, and TANF, as well as get the one-time grandparent grant for each of her four grandchildren. Suzie met with a specialist in her home once a month, helping to apply for benefits and helping Suzie to set and achieve goals. One of Suzie’s goals was to get her older grandchildren into counseling. This was a difficult task because Suzie had no legal paperwork naming her as the children’s guardian. Over time, Suzie and her Kinship Navigator specialists were able to contact Suzie’s daughter and have a Power of Attorney form notarized, giving Suzie the ability to schedule doctor checkups and counseling sessions for the children. 

When Suzie came to the Kinship Navigator program she was lost and hopeless. Now, with the help of her Kinship Navigator Specialist, she is working towards helping her grandchildren connect and thrive through creating positive childhood experiences and is well on her way to receiving legal conservatorship. 

Are you or someone you know raising children for a relative? Don’t go it alone, we can help.

Learn More About Kinship Navigator