Returning to Our Roots at The Next Door Inc.
From The Next Door Inc.:
by Jordan Flores
The Dalles, Ore. December 13, 2023 - In Oregon, there are 5,386 kids in the foster care system and counting. Despite such a tremendous need for foster homes, there is an ongoing shortage of foster families in our communities, our state, and nationwide. This year, The Next Door, Inc. (TNDI) has returned to our roots and stepped up to fill our local need by purchasing a home in The Dalles to provide a safe, nurturing home for displaced youth.
Jack had been in foster care for quite some time and had experienced more trauma than any child should ever have to heal from. He moved from one foster home to the next so often that Jack never really felt like he belonged anywhere. He always felt unseen and unheard, oftentimes not knowing what it was like to feel safe and loved. That is until he arrived at TNDI's group home.
The staff at the home was attentive, caring, and supportive upon Jack’s arrival. They helped him get settled into his room and introduced him to the other youth he’d be living with. The home was spacious and comfortable with many amenities Jack wasn’t used to, including an open kitchen where he could get anything he needed - at any time - to keep himself fed, fitness equipment to keep him healthy, gaming consoles to keep him entertained, and more.
As time went on, the staff’s support was unwavering as they eased Jack into a routine in the home. They now take him and the other boys grocery shopping, giving them a say in meal planning and letting them pick out their snacks each week. Jack also receives weekly counseling with a mental health therapist and is taught life skills, social skills, and conflict resolution through 24/7 staff guidance and support in the home.
When they aren’t at school or in therapy, Jack and the other boys help around the house by doing chores and tidying up. The staff plans outings for the youth such as neighborhood walks, trips to the community library, hiking, fishing, and other activities they enjoy. Jack even socializes with the other boys in their free time, and their bond grows as they play video games and work out together.
For the first time in his life, Jack doesn’t feel neglected. The staff pays more attention to him than anyone else ever has before, and he feels safe to just be himself without judgment or ridicule. In this new home, Jack feels a sense of belonging and, along with it, gratitude. Gratitude for the staff members who guide him, for the boys he now spends most of his time with, and, most of all, for the home that provides a safe place to land - unlike anywhere he’s ever lived before – when he had nowhere else to go.
At The Next Door, our work has only begun. While this group home is a huge achievement for our Treatment Services program, we continue to seek the support and resources of our community to provide these vital services to the youth we serve. Your support helps our team bring comfort and joy to others like Jack who may not experience it, especially during the holidays. Now through December 31st, every gift will be matched up to $42,500! Visit nextdoorinc.org/donate to double your impact today.
The Next Door Inc., (TNDI) the largest social service agency in the Gorge, was founded in 1971 to address the unmet need of support services for youth. Today, TNDI’s employees facilitate over 35 programs that strive to fulfill our mission of opening doors to new possibilities by strengthening children and families and improving communities in Oregon and Washington. For more information, please visit https://nextdoorinc.org/
