Sustainable Families: Frank's Story
Every day at 4:30 am, Frank begins the morning by making breakfast for his three sons. After work, he cooks dinner and winds down by reading books for family time.
“I look at my boys here, and they’re just happy,” Frank beams. “Today I’d be lost without them. They are everything.”
It’s a life that Frank has fought hard to keep. For many years Frank lived on the streets and was addicted to drugs. His situation picked up when he started his own business and began a family with his former partner. But Frank’s struggles with addictions continued, which resulted in the apprehension of his son the day he was born.
When Frank’s partner left and all of his kids were taken away, he was devastated.
“I collapsed. Everything that I’d worked for, it was gone,” Frank says. “Basically, I ended up back on the streets. I fought not to, but it was hard.”
Working together through recovery
Frank eventually received help from other agencies and was set up with a place to live. As he began to rebuild his life, he was introduced to Lillian from our Sustainable Families program.
Frank was wary about having another social worker in his life, but as he and Lillian learned to understand each other, she became someone that he could trust and relate to.
“It’s a tremendous turnaround where we don’t just talk about the program. We can talk about anything,” Frank says. “We talk about flowers. My house is full of them, and so is hers.”
In the first few months of working with Sustainable Families, Frank learned about self-care and looking after the home. Lillian also helped to connect him with resources for different basic needs. However, Lillian made the biggest impact when Frank fought to overcome his addictions and regain custody of his children.
At age 60, Frank faced skepticism left and right as he was told there was no way he could do it. He recalls how one judge even told him directly that he would never regain custody. In the midst of all the doubts, it was Lillian who encouraged Frank to keep going.
Three hugs and three kisses
“Believe in yourself because we all deserve the opportunity to be a parent.”
Five years and fifty-three court appearances later, Frank opened his door to a surprise visit from Children’s Services. His children were coming home.
Frank describes that moment as a blessing, and it’s one that he now gets to experience every day.
“When I wake up in the morning, I get three hugs, three kisses, three breakfast orders. You can’t ask for any better love and affection from your little boy.”
Just as Lillian gave Frank affirmation to keep going, he also shares his own advice for parents working to get their kids back.
“If you have an addiction issue, put a picture of your child on your phone. Believe in yourself because we all deserve the opportunity to be a parent.”
As for Lillian, someone who was once a stranger to him, Frank is immensely grateful for all the times she was there to support him.
“There aren’t enough flowers in the world to express that feeling.”