When the phone rang that afternoon, Melissa and Jessica didn’t know that one simple “yes” would change their lives forever. The couple had just gotten licensed through Seneca’s Resource Family Program to provide respite care, a short-term arrangement designed to give caregivers a break while offering children support. That’s when they received the call: “Can you provide care for a 7-year-old boy for two weeks?”

David was a shy 7-year-old living with autism, ADD, and ADHD. When he arrived at Jessica and Melissa’s Orange County home, the connection was immediate. Both women worked in social services and had seen firsthand the difference that a stable, nurturing home can make. They agreed early on that they wanted to create a home that felt like a family, not a placement.

“There are so many kids out there who just need that support — someone to advocate for them and show them love and affection,” Melissa said. “We wanted to be that.”

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For a child who has experienced many transitions, learning to trust again takes time, love, and consistency. So Melissa and Jessica filled their days with steady routines, patience, and slowly began to fall into the rhythm of family life. And when David was 8 years old, what was originally a short-term placement ended up becoming a forever home as he permanently moved in.

As the family began their new life together, Seneca continued to show up for them in a myriad of ways, providing ongoing support to both him and his moms to navigate his unique needs. These services helped the parents understand David’s strengths and find strategies that worked best for him to build patience, regulate his emotions, and communicate effectively.

 “Working with Seneca, I knew how much they invest in their families,” Jessica said. “I wanted David to get therapy services through Seneca because I knew he’d be cared for.”

But David’s story didn’t end there. Our Family Finding program reached out with an amazing opportunity: to reconnect David with his adult, biological half-brother, Duy. Melissa and Jessica didn’t hesitate. David and Duy bonded by exploring traditional Vietnamese foods together, learning bits of Vietnamese phrases, and connecting over their shared identity. Through laughter, family meals, and a shared ADD diagnosis, the two began building a sibling relationship that continues to grow.

For Melissa and Jessica, maintaining that connection has become a core part of David’s story. “It means a lot to us that his brother is involved,” Melissa shared. “It helps David feel more rooted in who he is and where he comes from.”

And how does David feel about the whole thing? Well, the feeling is definitely mutual.

“Having an older brother is great! I think that I love him,” David said with a smile.

From a two-week stay to a forever home, David’s story reminds us that some of the most life-changing moments can start with a simple “yes.” With the help of Seneca’s various programs, David was able to find stability, receive support for his neurodiverse needs, and reconnect with someone from his biological family.

At Seneca, we believe that every child deserves a family that feels like home — and every parent deserves the support to make that possible. If you’ve ever thought about becoming a foster or adoptive parent, or simply want to learn more about how you can support youth in care, we invite you to connect with us. Because sometimes, the most powerful thing you can say to a child is “yes.”