Client story: Children’s Relief Nursery helps rebuild parenting confidence
Apr 13, 2025
Raine's life was spinning out of control. Pregnant with twins, she felt hopeless, depressed, and barely able to get out of bed in the morning. Though she knew she had to take care of her family, she used drugs to counter her depression. This cycle left her unable to care for her two older children, who were ultimately removed from her home. Her 12-year-old moved in with his father’s family, and her two-year-old, Samuel, went to foster care. Raine was devastated and knew things needed to change.
Raine started by focusing on herself. She enrolled in mental health and substance use disorder treatment. Shortly after the twins were born, she began the reunification process with Samuel. Clackamas County's Early Intervention program referred the twins to LifeWorks NW's Children’s Relief Nursery at Gladstone.
The Children's Relief Nursery builds parenting skills
Samuel was speech delayed and had other trauma-based needs stemming from his separation from Raine. He was unsure how to feel about seeing or interacting with her. Raine remained determined to slowly rebuild their relationship.
The Early Childhood Education Specialist from the Relief Nursery worked Samuel and Raine together at home, helping improve her confidence and understanding of parenting and child development. The Relief Nursery also connected her with resources such as food, clothing, and diapers to help ease some of her daily stress.
Samuel attended our Therapeutic Classroom two days per week, learning to interact with teachers and other children. He began special education services to address his needs. When the twins were old enough, they joined Samuel in the therapeutic classroom, wrapping the Relief Nursery program around all four family members in the home.
Looking toward a bright future
Samuel has just turned three and has graduated to Head Start. He has tested out of Early Intervention services and is lively and interactive with other children and his family at home, his confidence and language skills greatly improved. The twins remain in the classroom, and we continue to provide home visits to Raine, who finished her first term in college in August, working toward a degree in Social Work. Her oldest child recently moved back in with her. Raine’s family is thriving, and she is looking forward to a connected, bright future.
