Greyson (not his real name) comes from a large family that was placed in foster care two years ago. Initially, he and his older sister, Odessa (not her real name), along with their three younger siblings, lived with distant relatives. However, caring for all five children proved too difficult for their kinship caregivers.
As the eldest, Odessa—who was over 18—left the kinship home to begin her adult life, losing touch with her siblings in the process. Meanwhile, Greyson, a young teenager, struggled to fit into the family dynamics of his much younger siblings. Eventually, his kinship caregivers requested his removal, and he was placed in a group home several miles away from his family in Reading.
In June 2024, CASA Nadia was assigned to Greyson. Over the summer, he grew comfortable with her visits and confided that he deeply missed his grandmother and older sister, Odessa. Determined to help, CASA Nadia searched through records and found a phone number for Odessa. When contacted, Odessa was overjoyed to hear that Greyson wanted to reconnect. A visit was soon arranged, during which Odessa drove their grandmother to see Greyson at his group home.
Since that first reunion, the bond between Greyson and Odessa has strengthened. Recognizing Odessa’s commitment, Nadia explained the steps required for her to become Greyson’s permanent guardian. The process is extensive, as all involved want to ensure that Odessa—who is only five years older than 15-year-old Greyson—can provide a stable home. To prepare for guardianship, Odessa secured permanent housing and moved out of the apartment she shared with roommates. Her new home includes a separate bedroom for Greyson, a crucial requirement for approval.
Last month, Odessa and Greyson received the exciting news that Odessa has been approved to host Greyson for weekend visits—a critical step toward reunification. In the last few weeks, the two siblings have had several successful weekend visits. Next step is for Odessa to gain legal approval to become Greyson's guardian.
