Blog

When Christina entered foster care at just 6 years old, she had already endured abuse, trafficking, and homelessness. Diagnosed with PTSD, she and her siblings were removed from their biological mother and placed in state care.

From the start, the YBGR Dillon Community Based Services team wrapped around Christina with in-home support, case management, and therapy—giving her and her caregivers the tools to find stability and build strength, but multiple moves and uncertainty slowed her healing process.

At age nine, Christina was placed with Tina, her now adoptive mom who did her best to offer a sense of security, but Christina struggled to believe she was truly home. When her infant sister moved in too, she asked, “When do I need to go pack my bags? I know I have to leave because when a baby comes, there’s not enough love to go around.”

Christina’s team continued supporting her, helping her process fears while encouraging her love for art and music. Creativity became her refuge, a way to express emotions too heavy for words.   As Christina gained confidence, she no longer needed in-home support, transitioning to just case management—providing care coordination and advocacy—along with therapy. But as she spoke more openly about her trauma with friends, she scared them, leading to strained relationships and escalating emotions.

Currently, a short-term stay in the residential treatment program at YBGR is giving Christina the intensive therapy she needs to stabilize and heal. With structure and care, she picked up her sketchpad again, using art to process her experiences in ways conversation never could.   With community care still in place and therapeutic work happening with family, Christina is preparing to move back home this summer, ensuring her progress at the Ranch carries forward.

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*For the privacy of the youth served at the Ranch, names have been changed. Image(s) shown here are a representation of those served at the Ranch.