The drug-abusing mother delivered her baby girl early. The little girl weighing less than 5 pounds and in the throes of drug withdrawal needed special care. Two VEFC families teamed up to provide the special care required for this fragile little one, until she was over her own withdrawal symptoms, and could be placed for adoption. During the time she stayed with these caring VEFC families, she overcame the effects of her mother’s drugs in her own system, as well as began to eat, cry, and respond to other people. As this little one was rocked and held and comforted by family members, she in turn gave them special love and a feeling of well-being that comes through sharing with others.

Just a few weeks ago, a social worker phoned a VEFC family in the middle of the night. She had a seven year old little girl whose world had just been torn apart. The child’s mother had committed suicide, and there was no one left to take care of the child. As the social worker shared this story with the VEFC family, she added, “I just need a place where this child can lay her head.” The VEFC family did so much more than that. They welcomed and comforted this frightened child, they tended to her special medical needs, and they did, indeed, give her a “place to lay her head.”

Late one Friday afternoon, a frightened teenage mom and her 8-month-old baby learned that the place that they had called “home” was no longer available to them. Can you imagine the panic this teenager felt as she realized that she and her baby were temporarily homeless? Fortunately, a VEFC family was immediately contacted and without hesitation agreed to welcome this young mother and her baby into their home. During the time needed to locate a permanent living situation for both the teenage mom and her baby, the VEFC family not only provided safe shelter, but also much needed mentoring and support.

Emily was born with multiple handicaps. She was born blind, mentally retarded, and required 24-hour a day care. Her mother, who had two other children at home requested weekend respite care so that she could have time with her other children, and have a break from the grueling care required by Emily. Two VEFC families volunteered to receive special training to be able to care for Emily, and the local department of social services then set up a weekend respite schedule. Not only were these respite times important for the mother and her other children, but it gave the VEFC families an opportunity to share their love and care with Emily.

Sarah was found hitchhiking along the interstate. It was clear that she was ill and needed medical attention immediately. But she refused treatment until something could be done with her dog ~ in Sarah’s mind that did NOT mean putting the dog in the animal shelter. So a fast thinking intake counselor called a VEFC family he knew loved animals. Would they please keep Sarah’s dog? Of course!

But there’s more to this story. Sarah had appendicitis, which required an emergency operation. When she was released from the hospital, she was still too ill to be returned to her home in New Mexico. The VEFC family who cared for Sarah’s dog eagerly extended the love and hospitality of their home to her as well. When it came time for Sarah to return home on the bus, her dog couldn’t go with her. But the creative VEFC family began making some phone calls and made arrangements for a major airline to FLY the dog back to New Mexico. It seems the person they talked to had a son who had stayed with a VEFC host family a year before and he wanted to help any way he could.

About two weeks later the court intake counselor received a phone call from Sarah’s mom. She tearfully said, “I don’t know all of what happened back there in Virginia, but it has changed Sarah’s life. Thank you!