One Late-Night Yes

How Connected staff, families, and community came together
for two siblings in crisis

Late one night, our on-call placement team received an urgent request for two siblings who needed immediate safety. The older sibling was an expectant teen. Her younger brother arrived with her, both carrying fear, exhaustion, and uncertainty about what would happen next.

They had few belongings and limited English. Their world had shifted suddenly, and they were stepping into a system they did not understand. Our staff knew they needed a foster home that could offer patience, gentleness, and support right away.

As calls were made, one Connected foster family came to mind. They were preparing for their own new season at home, and space was tight. Still, they picked up the phone, listened, prayed, and chose to say yes.

Later, they shared the question they ask themselves in every moment of need:
“Are we willing and able to open our home, even if it is just for a little while?”
That night, they were both.

Safety, stability, and the small things that matter

The siblings settled in as best they could. The foster family welcomed them with warmth, food, and the gentle reassurance that they were safe for the night. Over the next several days, trust began to form in small but meaningful ways.

They cooked together.
They laughed during new experiences.
They played games that helped bridge the language gap.
They prepared for the baby with simple, thoughtful care.
They grew braver together in a home that offered predictability and peace.

Even though the moment was overwhelming, the foster parents helped the siblings feel seen, valued, and supported.

When needs grew, community stepped in

As our team worked to understand what the siblings needed most, one urgent priority became clear: the expectant teen needed prenatal support. Without hesitation, community partners stepped in.

A doula and translator volunteered their time.
Medical professionals offered care.
Local partners provided clothing, snacks, baby items, and practical support that eased the weight of uncertainty.

The foster family did not carry the burden alone. A community surrounded the siblings with compassion, and our caseworker continued coordinating care with diligence and determination.

Another yes continued the story

As the days passed, it became clear that the children would need the support of another foster home. Our team reached out to a Connected family who had recently been approved and had expressed a desire to provide respite care. After taking time to pray and prepare, they said yes too.

They stepped in with tenderness, ensuring the siblings remained supported, comforted, and connected while a long-term plan was found. They also helped the expectant teen continue her prenatal care, which led to her receiving her first ultrasound and a thorough checkup. It was a milestone filled with relief, gratitude, and hope.

A long-term home and a lasting impact

After several weeks of searching, our team identified a safe and stable long-term placement that could meet the siblings’ needs and support their language and cultural connection. While the move meant a transition, the children carried with them something priceless: the love, stability, and security they had experienced through a series of yeses.

Two foster families.
A community of helpers.
A diligent caseworker.
A network of supports that stepped forward without hesitation.

What began as one late-night yes became a chain of kindness, stability, and hope.

This is the heart of Connected Families

It is not one person doing everything.
It is many people saying yes to what they can do.
It is community surrounding children with compassion and hope.
It is choosing to show up when a child needs safety tonight.

If you have ever wondered what it might look like for your family to say yes, we would love to talk with you.
There are children who need safety, stability, and a place to belong, even if just for a season.

Learn more about how you can get involved: Get Involved!