At The Home for Little Wanderers, the idea of home goes beyond the chorus of a familiar Christmas carol or a doorway trimmed with pine. It’s more than a space or a site, it’s a feeling of warmth, security, unconditional support and belonging. At The Home, it’s a year-round pursuit and a core belief that is baked into every one of our 30+programs.
It’s also a part of treatment. For everyone, connections are a basic need, as critical as a warm, nourishing meal, and a safe place to sleep at night. Our clinicians have found that a permanency plan, or relational roadmap, is key to the success of the children we serve, so we do a lot of work to create, rebuild or find the lasting, loving connections that all children need to succeed. “Every child is different, but they are all wired to attach, and we work with that,” says President and CEO Lesli Suggs, LICSW—whether they are two, ten or 22 years old. “Providing hope is a key part of providing stability.”
The same holds true for our families. Many individuals feel alone in their struggle when facing hardship or significant challenges. Our Behavioral Health and Clinical Care team strengthens families by building up our caregivers’ natural systems of support, lifting them up and wrapping them in community, because we know we are better together.
At our organization, the feeling of “home” is everything, and it is many things. Here is a glimpse into what belonging can look like across The Home’s programs…
- It’s the young siblings, who after being separated for years, came together to heal emotionally and restore their brotherly bond at one of our residential programs. And it’s their committed older cousin, found by our Youth Permanency Connections team, who engaged in family therapy with the boys, switched jobs to secure their financial footing and relocated to the Northeast to make her new home, theirs.
- It’s the young adult, who, after experiencing homelessness, is living in one of our residences for older youth who are working fulltime or going to school. After a rewarding day of work, he makes his mother’s recipes (healthy ones with plenty of protein, lentils and spices) in the shared kitchen and connects with her nearly every day, sharing updates and successes that keep her close, even though she’s far away.
- It’s the longtime foster parents who celebrated the adoption of their 14- year-old son, after he walked into their lives and announced he was looking for a forever family. He had been in 10 placements before finding a home where he felt a strong sense of security and love. He is tight with his siblings, who have also been adopted. Though they live in separate homes, they are a big, blended family that talks often, gets together once a month, and shares family outings, milestones and holidays.
- It’s the 18-year-old who attends our residential treatment school in New Hampshire, a relational program he says is the only one that has helped him—or saved him. At The Wediko School, the high schooler is building a foundation that will serve him for life and making memories on and off campus. Last year, he spent Saturdays crafting maple syrup and laughing with his best friend. On other weekends, he’d return home, syrup in hand, to enjoy big family breakfasts. “My mother makes the best pancakes!” he says with a grin.
- It’s a young mom, who, after giving birth to a beautiful baby girl, was able to bring her infant and proud big brother home to an apartment of her own, rather than a shelter. Thanks to The Home’s independent living programs for young adults, the happy, healthy family has a kitchen, their own bedrooms, and everything they need to create holiday traditions of their own.
Here, home is not a moment or a season. Instead, it’s promise we make every day. Long after the holidays end, we remain committed to helping children, young adults and families find the safety, connection and belonging they deserve, because everyone needs a place and people to call home, all year long.
