Amanda Reunites with Her Children

By Rachel Willcox - Martha’s Vilage & Kitchen

   The first day I met Amanda she was waiting in line for lunch after being at Martha’s Village & Kitchen for three days. She startled me as she was crouched down in a half-lit hallway. To make up for the look of surprise, I introduced myself as the chapel assistant and invited her to stop by any time. The look of struggle in her light brown eyes and the sound of exhaustion in her British-accented voice stayed with me.

   Later she stopped in my office. One of her five children in foster care was named Gabriella and she wanted to know about the angel Gabriel. Checking a Catholic website, we found out that Gabriel means “God has shown himself mighty” and that he visited David, Zachariah, Mary, and Joseph to minister God’s will. Upon learning this, she shared that she had entered a rehab facility five days after giving birth to Gabriella. On the day her two-month stay was over, she was able to obtain an open bed at Martha’s.

  Within a short while, Amanda had given birth to a healthy baby girl, had to leave her five children in foster care, went into a rehab, and then entered Martha’s. Just thinking about it left me numb and in awe of her ability to survive the mental and physical obstacles put before her.

   Later Amanda shared that she was working at reuniting her family. The months passed and I would see her around the Village and get an update on her Child Protection Services (CPS) cases, her clean time, the CPS visits with her children, and her adjustment to life with the other single women at Martha’s.

   One day she shared her excitement of having Savannah, her oldest, come live with her. At that time a family room at the Village opened, and she was able to transfer from the single’s side to the family side with the first of her five children. Over time, I learned from Savannah that her only wish for Christmas was that her family all be together. Though the family spent Christmas apart, Amanda was able to have the second of her five children come for a weekend visit.

   In early January this year, Amanda shared with me the possibility of gaining custody of two more of her children, but she was unsure when the judge would make the decision. She could only pray that he would grant her custody, and yet, she also had to tell Savannah not to be discouraged if custody wasn’t granted.

  Amanda went to CPS on January 16 thinking it would be a visit with her two middle children. She was under the impression that the judge had not made his decision, and she was prepared to be patient knowing the decision would come within a week. Little did she know that her two middle children and many of the staff at Martha’s had a surprise for her. As her children Christopher and Kaylee entered the room, the CPS worker told her, “Amanda, the judge has made his decision. The kids can go with you. Take them home.”

   Waiting for her back at the Village were two extra beds, a welcoming committee, and a hot meal to share with her family. The extra responsibility of a three-year old and a five-year old, both of whom are extremely active, does not compare to the sense of success Amanda feels. In the words of Kaylee, “This is my home and I will be here forever and ever and ever and ever.”