Eight-year-old Anna* hasn’t lived the carefree, happy life children should. She was sexually abused by her father and uncle for over four years. Her mother denies what happened and now refuses to see her. Anna hasn’t seen her parents since she was removed from her home and their rights were terminated.
For the last two years, Anna has been in foster care, one of over 900 children in Nebraska available and waiting for adoptive families. The couple who cares for her is kind and nurturing, but she misses her little sister and yearns for a permanent family.
Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska (LFS) is working tirelessly to give Anna the “happily ever after” she has only read about in books.
Our LFS adoption permanency team places “family finding” as their top priority, armed with the fact that a child in foster care is much more likely to be successful when adopted by a relative. Dedicated LFS staff search every available record, conduct online searches, even knock on doors looking for the appropriate extended family members willing to meet – and possibly adopt – children like Anna.
Right now, LFS staff are working to give Anna a happy ending and the family she has been dreaming of.
LFS therapists are providing specialized therapy and care to help Anna work through the trauma of the abuse she suffered. Through extensive family finding searches, a relative in California was identified who is interested in caring for Anna and her sister. Recently, they all met in person, and have been talking regularly on the phone Anna will get her wish – Christmas in California with family, and adoption plans proceeding!
At LFS, we want children to have safe and happy childhoods-a family they can call their own, and the freedom to simply be a child. Because of generous people like you, we are able to provide a place of hope, healing and recovery for children like Anna. Your gift to LFS ensures that life-changing services are here – all year round – ready to serve all of God’s children.
With warmest blessings at Christmas,
Ruth Henrichs
LFS President & CEO
P.S. LFS started in 1892 because several young children lost their parents and needed a safe and permanent home. Compassionate Lutherans created two orphanages…one in Omaha, one in Fremont. In 2017, LFS will celebrate 125 years of continued service to children and families, working to ensure that children have safe and promising futures!
*Name changed to protect privacy
