When Kristel entered foster care at six years old, her world was filled with chaos and uncertainty. Everything changed when she was placed with her foster mom, Ann Marie, who would later adopt her.
“It was more stability,” Kristel recalled.
Kristel initially struggled with her emotions, crying frequently in school. “She was shy, introverted, and emotional,” Ann Marie remembered. She had learning delays and was unable to read, so she and Ann Marie sat at the table and practiced a little bit each night until Kristel caught up with her peers. Ann Marie patiently provided a nurturing environment where Kristel could begin to heal and grow.
Despite the hardships, her foster mom always honored Kristel’s connection to her biological mother. She ensured that Kristel’s past was not erased but integrated into her healing journey. Ann Marie became emotional when recalling a moment that deeply touched her.
“Her mom once said, ‘I want to thank you for taking care of Kristel,'” she said, tears welling up. “That was a powerful moment for me.”
With her foster mom’s unwavering support and the resources FCA provided, Kristel flourished. She participated in after-school programs and tennis lessons, went to summer camps, and experienced Broadway shows and travel.
Ann Marie’s guidance and FCA’s support helped Kristel break generational trauma, turning her story of struggle into one of success. Now, she’s determined to give back by working with children who face challenges of their own, just as she once did. She graduated from CT State – Norwalk with a degree in Early Childhood Education and she’s now attending the University of Connecticut with the goal of becoming a special education teacher.
Without FCA, Kristel said her path would have been different. “My life would be the opposite of this,” she said.
