Shawn

Foster Care: Stable, supportive foster homes

At age 11, Shawn* and his two siblings were removed from their home after an incident of sexual abuse. They entered Kids Above All’s Foster Care Program and went to live in separate foster homes to meet their individual needs.

Shawn was placed with Mother Watkins, a foster parent in Kids Above All’s Specialized Foster Care Program. She provided the immediate stability and support he needed during this difficult transition, welcoming him into her home, as well as encouraging him to do well in school and to participate in extracurricular activities.

Shawn soon started therapy in Kids Above All’s counseling program. He worked through the trauma he experienced and how to maintain a good relationship with his family, whom he regularly visited.

As he grew older and entered high school, Shawn turned to sports as an outlet for his energy and time. He played football and excelled in track throughout his four years.

He also turned to his Kids Above All support system for assistance with how to make better decisions as a soon-to-be independent young man. His case managers, therapists and other members of Team Kids Above All provided the help and resources he needed to keep him on track to accomplish his goals.

In 2021, Shawn achieved two such goals, graduating from Sullivan High School in Chicago and receiving a track scholarship to Iowa Wesleyan University.

As a freshman this year at Iowa Wesleyan, Shawn lives on campus and has adjusted well to college life. He keeps in regular touch with his Kids Above All support system and remains in therapy with his mom, stepfather and siblings so they can continue to build a strong family bond.

Shawn has established two new goals since entering college—graduate with a degree in criminal justice and become a criminal investigator. We know he’ll do his best in both and can’t wait to see what he achieves next.

*For our client’s privacy and safety, their name has been changed.

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