Helping Children And Families Live Successfully.
Do you desire to make a difference in a life of a child?
If so...Please contact Elisa Parham to schedule an orientation and/or "Parents as Tender Healers" training class.
Now is a great time to get involved! We can help you by providing free training classes. We are now registering for our next Tuesday and Thursday evening class, registration will be throughout the month of June.
Classes begin Tuesday, June 30th
Held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6-9 p.m
Located at the Clarksville Youth Villages office at 585 S. Riverside Drive Suite G
No need to worry about dinner, it's provided!
If you are interested in a weekend or morning class immediately or in the near future, please contact me.
* In order to have staff present for childcare you must give 24 hours notice that a child will be attending. Dinner and activities will be provided.*
Former Foster Child Makes a Difference
We never know when yesterday's hardship will become today's opportunity for change.
Samantha Goff entered the foster care system when she was thirteen years old and remained there until she married at age twenty. The last home that she stayed in made such a positive impact on Samantha that it wasn't long before she also considered opening her home to children. Not only did Samantha truly understand what it felt like to be in foster care, but she had also witnessed the powerful influence a loving foster family can have. Bearing this in mind, Samantha and her husband Barry made the call to Youth Villages.
Since becoming certified foster parents last year, Barry and Samantha have fostered eight children. They also have three children of their own, children who were very open to welcoming needy youth and teens into their home. "Before we started, we talked with them," said Samantha, in regards to her children. "They knew I was in foster care. All three children have an open, tender heart towards people." Despite the trials and adjustments that can come from adding more children into their family, the Goffs have met the challenge well and spend time talking over issues in order to reach resolutions that appeal to everyone. When asked what her most rewarding moment as a foster parent has been, Samantha replied, "Seeing everyone in the family get along after facing challenges... Five personalities getting along is amazing!"
Samantha loves working with older children and teens, stating that she most enjoys being able to talk with them and relate to them. According to Samantha, the best thing about being a foster parent is "seeing the youth be successful. Even to see their grades progress from D's and F's to C's is huge." Barry and Samantha enjoy offering their encouragement and support to teens, even after they leave their home. “We don't want to be just foster parents, we want to be a support in their lives. They can call us when they need someone to talk to," said Samantha. The Goffs have often leaned on the support of their counselor, Laurie, when things have gotten tough. "She can talk to the foster child one on one, or we can all talk together and make sure I enforce the action plan."
Several years after leaving foster care, Samantha Goff is able to reach out to children and teens who have experienced the same losses and emotions that she experienced as a child. When asked if she would recommend that others change the lives of children by becoming foster parents, she replied "Yes! Your heart has to really be in it. Be open to getting advice, and don't assume you are going to have all the answers.
