BECKLEY, WV (WOAY) – Kids who’ve gone through significant trauma and are the toughest to place in the foster care system are the center of a powerful true story.
‘Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot’ is the solution to the foster care crisis, screening at Marquee Cinemas on July 5.
“Twenty-two families in a small town came forward and adopted 77 children. We need foster families just like these other 22 families in Texas who came forward and said, ‘Bring me these children,’ said Necco Foster Care Director of Programs Caitlin Pauley. “You know, the power of this community and the power of our community can change the trajectory of these kid’s lives.”
These kids need hope, they need family, they need love — but so many of them who’ve gone through life-changing trauma do not feel confident in a family.
“To not have a routine, to not have structure, to not feel, you know, any sense of hope. And so the power of a family is tremendous,” Pauley said.
Fostering is not for everybody, but the program director says let’s start with community conversation, in church…
“In schools, at the park. You know, it’s summertime so everybody’s together at cookouts and things — just talk,” she said. “You know, a lot of people have seen the ‘sound of freedom. So now we need a lot of people to watch the ‘sound of hope, to see what happens after that trauma has occurred.”
Southern West Virginia is also facing a significant foster care crisis. Caitlin says teens are the most difficult to place, which is very disheartening because they are aware of their situation and have probably gone through various foster homes. It’s not their fault but they get turned away just because of their age.
“Foster families, we do need them for the littles, but we really, really need them for the older kids because once they turn 18, they need those adult life skills to be able to handle the adult life.”
Without life skills, Caitlin says the kids become vulnerable adults. That’s how Necco can step in and stop the cycle. She says once they turn 18 and go to college or work they don’t have another family to return to for holidays, birthdays, and big life experiences.
“So that still gives them that sense of family to come back to,” said Pauley. “And that, I mean, that changes the whole path of their lives.”
According to Caitlin, the July 5 screening of this film is a great time to sign up to be a foster parent. Head over to Beckley’s Marquee Cinemas from 3:30 to 6:30 pm.
“And interact with the foster care agencies in your community. There’s some other resources that will be available,” Pauley said. “Safe Haven will be there and Her Plan. So you guys can come out, see what foster care is all about and that way you’re able to start those conversations.”