A Different Kind of Connection

Jessie was only eight, but the chaos inside him had already made home feel like a battleground. At school and in public, he was a quiet and sweet child. But at home, meltdowns and fear defined every day.  Jessie’s parents fell back on what they knew and how they were raised. When he became upset, they responded with strict discipline, hoping it would snap him into shape. But instead of helping, it only left Jessie confused and afraid, without understanding what he’d done wrong or how to make things right.

The situation was so severe that it came to the attention of DHS, but they soon discovered a startling fact: Jessie’s reported behaviors were not seen by anyone else—not at school, not in public, and not even during their own observations. After trying a variety of services that didn't seem to work, DHS decided on a new path, placing Jessie in a therapeutic foster home. One of Savio’s therapeutic foster homes offered Jessie the structure and support he needed to begin healing.

He arrived at his new home as a quiet boy, reserved and a little wary. However, his foster parents were confident there was more to his story. Jessie eagerly began to open up. His excitements and curiosity about the world came bursting out as he took in his new home. But any time he felt he had made a mistake, a shadow of fear would cross his face, and he would shut down. What the foster parents found was not the "problem child" they had been told about. Instead, they saw before them an easy-going kid who, above all else, simply craved connection with the adults in his life. 

There was no single turning point, no dramatic breakthrough moment. Their bond and Jessie’s changes were a gradual unfolding. Instead of hardline consequences, the foster parents used open discussion, a gentle approach that helped him understand his actions without the terror of punishment. Jessie slowly began to relax, his body uncoiling after conversations. The foster parents decided to transfer their approaches to Jessie’s biological parents. Their patience and knowledge showed his family a different way. 

During this time, Jessie's parents were on a journey of their own, attending therapy and communicating regularly with the foster parents. They listened intently, taking notes and asking a thousand questions about Jessie’s quirks and triumphs. They wanted to understand, to build a new kind of structure in their home. 

The first overnight visit was filled with a nervous energy that slowly faded as the family settled into a comfortable routine. Jessie's mom watched, surprised, as he calmly explained to his dad that he didn't want to play with a specific toy, instead of having a meltdown. His dad responded by simply suggesting another game, no lecture, no harsh words, no spanking. It was a small moment, but to them, it felt like a monumental victory. 

Months later, Jessie's dad stood in the kitchen, humming softly as he watched his son. Jessie was at the table, his head bent over a coloring book, his tongue poking out in concentration. The house was quiet, filled only with the soft scratch of crayon on paper. He could see a megawatt smile come over Jessie’s face as he showed off his art with glee. Dad pulled out his phone and sent a quick text. 

A moment later, it rang. “Hey there,” the foster mom’s voice said warmly. 

Jessie's dad’s voice was thick with emotion. “I just wanted to call and say thank you. It’s never been this good between us. I feel like… I feel like we’re really a father and son for the first time in our lives.” 

“He just needed a different kind of connection,” the foster mom replied. “I’m so proud of you both!” 

"You helped us see it," Dad said, his voice catching. "He really is a good kid. It used to feel like we were walking on eggshells all the time. Now he laughs and talks to us. We’re not just getting through the day anymore." 

As he hung up, Jessie's dad looked back at his son, a profound sense of comfort settling over. Jessie ran over and gave his dad a huge hug. For the first time, the stillness of their home didn't feel like they were getting through a day—it felt like they were really living out their love for one another.

Contact Kaitlyn Welk-Robbins at kwelkrobbins@saviohouse.org or (720) 530-6490 to learn how you can become a foster parent today.