Local News Article from 2005
A BRIDGE BETWEEN CHAOS AND ADULTHOOD
In his 19 years, Eddie has lived with his mom, he's lived with his dad, he's lived in foster homes, he's lived in shelters, he's lived in mental facilities, he's lived in group homes, he's walked the streets and he's slept on friends' couches and floors. But, as far back as he can remember, he's never lived anywhere for a whole year and a half.
``That's why I'm so excited,'' says Eddie, whose full name is Edward Gathercole. ``I'm not going to have to spend every day planning where I'm going to sleep.''
Eddie is the first occupant of a new Santa Rosa residential facility designed to help former foster children find their way into adulthood. The former nursing home on Yulupa Avenue, due to open in the next several weeks, will provide transitional housing for up to 18 months (or longer, in some cases) for 24 young adults who have ``aged out'' of the foster care system at age 18.
Eddie, who already is living on the property as final touches are put in place, is a prime example of why such a facility is needed.
There are plenty of success stories about foster kids. But many of these young people struggle through traumatic childhoods and stormy adolescences, only to find themselves without home or family when they are kicked loose from the system as they reach arbitrary adulthood.
This bridge between foster care and independence is a collaboration of Burbank Housing, the Community Action Partnership, Social Advocates for Youth and United Way. It will be called ``Tamayo House'' in honor of that family's support of young people.
Eddie was born in Santa Rosa to a family in chaos.
``When I was little I remember being with my pops more than my mom. There's a lot that I don't know, but I guess my mom was not taking care of us.''
His dad struggled, too, and Eddie's first stay at the Valley of the Moon Children's Home and his first stint in foster care came before he was in grade school. When he and his younger brother did spend time with their dad, they moved constantly.
``I went to a bunch of elementary schools around here,'' he says.
And it wasn't just housing that was temporary. When his father was arrested, his stepmother decided she couldn't take care of his two boys and ``sent us away.'' After another foster care placement, they went to live with their mother, ``where we just got more and more wild.'' By the fourth grade, Eddie was smoking pot and roaming the streets at night.
``My mom couldn't handle us, I guess. She finally just dropped us off at the police station.''
Eddie, a big, thoughtful kid with a quick smile and a steady gaze, patiently tells his life story. It sounds like a pinball machine, and he is the ball -- bouncing around among the children's home, foster homes, therapeutic homes, group homes.
But he doesn't whine about it.
``My life has been pretty chaotic, but that's OK. It's made me what I am today.''
Amid the turmoil, Eddie was lucky to find some valuable relationships. A couple of foster parents stand out, as does a volunteer who has been his advocate and mentor for several years. They helped him avoid the most serious trouble and steered him toward academic success (he graduated from Piner High in 2003 -- on time and with honors).
But most of the successes Eddie has found have come from ``in here,'' he says, tapping his chest.
``I think it was in me all along. It just took a while to figure it out.''
That's an ongoing process. Since graduation, he's been in and out of junior college, in and out of housing, in and out of jobs, in and out of debt.
Eddie says he knows he can be successful in school, in his brand-new job, in his adult life.
``I'm just not sure I can do it on my own,'' he says, averting his gaze.
Thanks to the Tamayo House he won't have to -- at least not yet.
Contact Chris Coursey at 521-5223 or ccoursey@pressdemocrat.com.
Eddie is the first occupant of a new Santa Rosa residential facility designed to help former foster children find their way into adulthood. The former nursing home on Yulupa Avenue, due to open in the next several weeks, will provide transitional housing for up to 18 months (or longer, in some cases) for 24 young adults who have ``aged out'' of the foster care system at age 18.
Eddie, who already is living on the property as final touches are put in place, is a prime example of why such a facility is needed.
There are plenty of success stories about foster kids. But many of these young people struggle through traumatic childhoods and stormy adolescences, only to find themselves without home or family when they are kicked loose from the system as they reach arbitrary adulthood.
This bridge between foster care and independence is a collaboration of Burbank Housing, the Community Action Partnership, Social Advocates for Youth and United Way. It will be called ``Tamayo House'' in honor of that family's support of young people.
Eddie was born in Santa Rosa to a family in chaos.
``When I was little I remember being with my pops more than my mom. There's a lot that I don't know, but I guess my mom was not taking care of us.''
His dad struggled, too, and Eddie's first stay at the Valley of the Moon Children's Home and his first stint in foster care came before he was in grade school. When he and his younger brother did spend time with their dad, they moved constantly.
``I went to a bunch of elementary schools around here,'' he says.
And it wasn't just housing that was temporary. When his father was arrested, his stepmother decided she couldn't take care of his two boys and ``sent us away.'' After another foster care placement, they went to live with their mother, ``where we just got more and more wild.'' By the fourth grade, Eddie was smoking pot and roaming the streets at night.
``My mom couldn't handle us, I guess. She finally just dropped us off at the police station.''
Eddie, a big, thoughtful kid with a quick smile and a steady gaze, patiently tells his life story. It sounds like a pinball machine, and he is the ball -- bouncing around among the children's home, foster homes, therapeutic homes, group homes.
But he doesn't whine about it.
``My life has been pretty chaotic, but that's OK. It's made me what I am today.''
Amid the turmoil, Eddie was lucky to find some valuable relationships. A couple of foster parents stand out, as does a volunteer who has been his advocate and mentor for several years. They helped him avoid the most serious trouble and steered him toward academic success (he graduated from Piner High in 2003 -- on time and with honors).
But most of the successes Eddie has found have come from ``in here,'' he says, tapping his chest.
``I think it was in me all along. It just took a while to figure it out.''
That's an ongoing process. Since graduation, he's been in and out of junior college, in and out of housing, in and out of jobs, in and out of debt.
Eddie says he knows he can be successful in school, in his brand-new job, in his adult life.
``I'm just not sure I can do it on my own,'' he says, averting his gaze.
Thanks to the Tamayo House he won't have to -- at least not yet.
Contact Chris Coursey at 521-5223 or ccoursey@pressdemocrat.com.
Press Democrat, The (Santa Rosa, CA)
Date: February 28, 2005
Page: B1
Copyright (c) 2005 The Press Democrat (Santa Rosa, CA)
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