Carin began volunteering at a group home and connected well with the children but wanted to do more. She couldn’t take them all home but knew she could care for one. After being licensed and completing the required training, Carin and her husband Anthony received their first placement, a 12 year old boy. It was overwhelming to know how he was hurting or what he needed. He didn’t believe that he was worth anything. He wouldn’t eat, wouldn’t say what he liked, wouldn’t go into a grocery store, or let them buy him clothes.
Coming to PS I Love You, the preteen picked out clothing and shoes only after Carin explained that it was free, and she was not purchasing them. While in the toy room he noticed a pair of rollerblades but they were not his size. Carin was filled with gratitude when Kay ordered new rollerblades in the correct size to make sure he received the item of his desire. Also while at the Resource Center they received a casserole. It was the first thing he was receptive to eating. It was so much more than chicken and pasta! Carin started purchasing every kind of casserole they made, so that he would eat. He was slowly beginning to understand that other people besides this new family cared about him.
Carin and Anthony endured many challenges during this first placement. The young man remained in their home for 8 months, the longest he had ever stayed in one place throughout his entire 12 years. (Imagine that… the instability of moving homes and caregivers 2-3 times a year, for your whole life!) During this time he learned to go into a grocery store, choose items he would like, and later prepare those items he wanted to eat. Carin and Anthony cared genuinely and loved sacrificially to meet his deepest need… to know he was worth it.
“I didn’t think we would need a ministry like PS I Love You, but boy did we!
Carin began volunteering at a group home and connected well with the children but wanted to do more. She couldn’t take them all home but knew she could care for one. After being licensed and completing the required training, Carin and her husband Anthony received their first placement, a 12 year old boy. It was overwhelming to know how he was hurting or what he needed. He didn’t believe that he was worth anything. He wouldn’t eat, wouldn’t say what he liked, wouldn’t go into a grocery store, or let them buy him clothes.
Coming to PS I Love You, the little boy picked out clothing and shoes only after Carin explained that it was free, and she was not purchasing them. While in the toy room he noticed a pair of rollerblades but they were not his size. Carin was filled with gratitude when Kay ordered new rollerblades in the correct size to make sure he received the item of his desire. Also while at the Resource Center they received a casserole. It was the first thing he was receptive to eating. It was so much more than chicken and pasta! Carin started purchasing every kind of casserole they made, so that he would eat. He was slowly beginning to understand that other people besides this new family cared about him.
Carin and Anthony endured many challenges during this first placement. The young man remained in their home for 8 months, the longest he had ever stayed in one place throughout his entire 12 years. (Imagine that… the instability of moving homes and caregivers 2-3 times a year, for your whole life!) During this time he learned to go into a grocery store, choose items he would like, and later prepare those items he wanted to eat. Carin and Anthony cared genuinely and loved sacrificially to meet his deepest need… to know he was worth it.
