Xavier's Story, Part 1: "Please take him with you!"

Please take him with you!,” said Xavier’s* teacher. She was ready for him to go.

“I’m trying!,” said his new mentor. 

Xavier struggled in the classroom. He wouldn’t do any work at all. If anyone approached him with anything academic he would throw a tantrum and throw things. He had a behavior chart with a goal of having 75% smiley faces. Today he had zero smiley faces. And he had zero interest in leaving with his mentor. 

It’s not surprising. Strangers had come to get Xavier before. They had taken him away from his mother and siblings. They dropped him off at the home of other strangers: “You’re going to live here for a while.” 

Foster care is hard on a child’s brain. We are hard wired for attachment to our caregivers. It’s like gluing two pieces of paper together. And when you break that attachment bond, it’s like ripping those two pieces of paper apart. It does damage.

And so when his new mentor arrived to pick him up from school, Xavier was immediately afraid. He refused to go. 

But Xavier’s mentor was patient: “It’s my job to keep you safe. And that means I want you to feel safe, Xavier. So if you say no, I will respect that.” 

And Xavier did say no. For nine weeks in a row. 

But because of you and your support, that’s what we do, at The Bridge. We meet children like Xavier right where they are, show them respect, and walk with them through significant challenges. We’re in it for the long haul. No matter what. 

Now it’s a new school year and Xavier is in a new school. He’s living with a different family member. But he has the same mentor. 

And that makes all the difference. Thank you for helping make that possible.  

*Xavier’s name has been changed to protect his privacy.