As a toddler, Rickey's world consisted of neglect and abuse. At age 5, he was taken into state custody and spent the next five years moving between foster homes. Over time, his frustration grew, and he became more and more aggressive. At age 10, he was suicidal and suffered frequent hallucinations. He was hospitalized.

When Rickey left the hospital, he was referred to residential treatment at Youth Villages. Without the option to return to his biological family, Rickey's only option after completing residential treatment was to return to foster care until an adoptive family could be found.

Youth Villages Child Counselor Carrie Petty knew foster care had been devastating to Rickey. She knew just how important it was for the hurting child to experience permanency and love. Only that could heal his wounds. But she also knew that finding the right family for Rickey would be especially hard.

"Rickey constantly was disruptive," she remembers. "His behavior problems were so severe. It made it really hard to find a family willing to give him a chance."

Petty talked with several foster families she thought might make a match. But the family she thought would be best for Rickey was reluctant. It took several talks until Ella and Ulus Norfolk of Jackson, Tenn., agreed to meet Rickey.

The Norfolks met Rickey on a Youth Villages residential treatment campus to spend a few hours together. Somethign clicked during that time, and the couple decided to meet Rickey again. They also wanted to learn more about his background and needs from his counselor. After a few more on-campus meetings, the Norfolks agreed to become Rickey's foster family.   

Eight months later, Rickey's world had changed. The stability, affection and structure his new family offered and the intensive counseling he had received helped him learn to trust, bond and develop academically. Rickey's grades had shot up, and he was working hard on learning to control his anger. At home, he had begun to take care of his family's animals.

"The Norfolks took the time to really learn everything they could about Rickey," says Petty. "They provide strict structure, and they don't give up. I think Rickey sensed that somehow."

For the Norfolks, giving the troubled boy a try turned into a lifetime commitment. The couple adopted Rickey, ending his longtime search for a family.