Reuniting: Children Exposed to Violence —OJJDP
Rebuilding : CSC Continued Support
RaeShawn has connected Anaiyah with tutoring services and helped her join the basketball team. She’s even learning how to be a better friend and take an active role in helping her mom with two rambunctious toddlers.
RaeShawn worked with local police to file a missing persons report for Anaiyah, but without any leads she started searching herself by going door to door in their previous neighborhood. She wasn’t having any luck, until one evening she saw a girl sitting by herself on the playground. “I have never met Anaiyah a day in my life, but somehow I recognized her,” RaeShawn said. RaeShawn approached her and introduced herself as the family’s case manager. “I told her who I was and how I was going to help her and her family.” “RaeShawn didn’t just talk to me, she spoke to me, and I realized that she actually wanted to help me, and she wasn’t forcing help on me. She’s the only one who has done that,” Anaiyah explained. “Talking to children in a kind and gentle voice and reassuring them that you are there for them will usually help your bond,” RaeShawn said. “I had to be real with her. I told her what she was doing wasn’t right, and she’s still a child.” Still Anaiyah was worried: “What if my mom didn’t want me to come home? What if I really did it this time, and she didn’t want to see me?” Anaiyah admitted she feared for her life and her moth - er’s life and worried about her younger siblings. “I was so confused and angry with the world,” she shared. “I didn’t understand why any of this happened.”
Talking about the trauma has been healing for all of them.
“We used to just shut our doors when we were mad at each other, now we just talk things through,” Anaiyah explained. Someday, Anaiyah would like to become a neurosurgeon or a journalist. But for now, she’s excited to move into their new home in a few weeks. “I’m really looking forward to returning home, not because of what happened to my brother, but because of the people I’ve met in the neighborhood who have helped, and now it feels more like a family because we can all look out for each other,” Aniyah said. Tricia couldn’t be more grateful for everything RaeShawn has done and continues to do to support her family. “I hope that other moms who need help will reach out or at least accept help when it’s offered,” she said. Knowing all too well that saying ‘yes’ to outsiders can be intimidating.” “I was against taking handouts, but you need to trust the process,” she said. “This has really opened my eyes. You can’t do it alone. Single moms need help; all moms need help; parents need help. It does take a village, and CSC has been my village.”
RaeShawn helped Anaiyah see things in a new light.
“She made me realize that I only have one mom, and if I kept choosing this path, it would make me angrier than before, and it wouldn’t be good for my siblings,” Aniyah said. “It was the most joyous moment of the entire case,” RaeShawn said, tearfully. “Because I was able to bring a mom and daughter back together, and even though they have their differences, Anaiyah is more understanding, appreciative and now helps her mom out.” Tricia couldn’t believe it.
“It was like RaeShawn sprinkled fairy dust on Anaiyah and brought her back with a whole new spirit.”
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