Justin's Story

Imagine a life where you’re abused and neglected every single day …

A life where you live in a run-down house, where you see drug use every night, where you’re caring for your two baby sisters, and you live with an overwhelming sense of hopelessness.

Then, imagine that you are only an 11-year old boy. Justin doesn’t have to imagine … that was his life!

Justin was physically abused daily by his parents. Both were addicted to methamphetamine (or meth) and were constant users. What was worse, Justin’s parents were also producing the drug and exposing everyone in the home, including Justin’s baby sisters, to the toxic and deadly chemicals used to make it.

This young boy’s life was a daily struggle to survive.

For Justin, an average day involved staying out of his parents' way, as they used and dealt meth, parenting his two baby sisters, making sure they were safe and had enough to eat and, simply surviving to live another day.  

Getting food for his sisters turned out to be the turning point in young Justin’s life. He was caught shoplifting food and the police brought him home to discover his parents' meth activities. The three children were immediately removed from the home and the parents were arrested. The kids were all placed in foster care; but Justin, because of the guilt, shame and anger he was feeling, started to act out – he punched walls, was verbally abusive and got suspended from school!

This is when Justin was introduced to Kempe's team of compassionate experts and mentors in our Fostering Healthy Futures program.

Kempe, recognized as the world leader in the fight against child abuse and neglect, has innovative programs that treat abused children (from birth to age 18), and our programs are directed by some of the nation’s leading experts. Our Fostering Healthy Futures program is targeted toward kids in Justin’s situation; and, it is designed to help improve these children’s academic achievement, mental health and social functioning, and to give them the chance for a more hopeful, happy life.

Justin attended weekly skills groups and met with his mentor for nine months. He worked hard. Justin learned how to cope and how to deal positively with his emotions. He learned to trust again and see that he has value and is worthy of love and attention.

Justin now lives with his sisters and his adoptive family. He is cared for, feels wanted and is loved. He also has hope for a better life and now dreams of becoming a judge!