With a confident smile and her children at her side, Deja Kirkland came to the podium. As a featured speaker at the Together for Kids Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, she was there to share her story and remind everyone what this building was all about.
It was a moment that would have been difficult for her to imagine 12 years ago, when she first came into foster care. Deja’s initial struggles as she dealt with numerous challenges had her wondering how to even make it through. At one point, so overwhelmed, she ran away.
While she was gone, Deja decided on her own to come back to foster care. This big step was the first of many toward a better future. She engaged in several DABSJ services, taking advantage of any support she could.
She developed a strong bond with her case worker, Jody Smith. Together, they saw Deja through becoming a young mom, getting her driver’s license, graduating high school, and getting a job and an apartment.
Today, Deja is an adult standing on her own two feet – but she stays connected to Jody, always there as a kind listener, steadfast advocate, and go-to babysitter.
It was Jody who introduced Deja at the ceremony. And as Deja’s son toddled around them, Deja delivered her speech – shared here, in her own words:
Hello, my name is Deja Kirkland. This is my daughter, Aniyah, and my son, Devon. I’m a little nervous, so bear with me.
I came into care through DABSJ when I was 12 until I was 21. That’s nine years just in case anybody needed help doing the math!
While I was in the system, I received services such as: shelter care, residential care, outpatient therapy, foster care case management, and young moms mentoring. I was discharged from the system through young adult voluntary foster care when I turned 21.
Probably most significant for me was when I became a mom at a young age. I felt afraid and discouraged. Jody was my worker six months before I gave birth to Aniyah. She has never let me forget that I had a village that cared for me.
My village has included:
… Brian Shaffer who connected me with programs that taught me a strong work ethic, people skills and also helped me land my first job.
… Foster moms who weren’t only supportive but were also single mothers themselves. I call them superwomen!
My and Aniyah’s favorite thing was to go “shopping” in the basement at the Leonard campus. They don’t know this, but we have greatly appreciated all of the (Marilyn J. Olson) Guild ladies who kept that space welcoming and organized.
And Jody. She never gave up on me. She wanted me to see all the potential I have, which at that time I couldn’t see myself.
I’ve walked the halls of the old DABSJ for years, and I’m excited for all the youth and families that will walk these new hallways and experience all of the love, support, and care that I did.
Thank you to everyone that has made it possible for me and that will continue to make it possible for all teens. They will be headaches… just like I was!
Because we know that the children and families that bring the headaches are also the WHY for the workers and staff that work here at DABSJ.
Thank you so much for all that you do and for making this day and this new building possible!
