A lifelong friendship that began with kindness

Ms. Etta Sample and Bruce Castro met each other at the YCS Laurie Haven group home. Bruce had just come from a series of failed foster home placements. At such a young age, he was already fraught with many painful memories.

One he recalls, was when his mother promised to visit him for his birthday. In anticipation, he waited and waited for her but she never showed up. He was devastated.

A few years later, history repeated itself when his mother failed to make an appearance on his birthday once more. But this time, he had Ms. Sample on his side.

Bruce vividly remembers how Ms. Sample later confronted his mom at a family conference.

Ms. Sample also fought to keep Bruce at Laurie Haven till they could find the right foster home for him.

To this day, Bruce has never forgotten his appreciation for Ms. Sample. Every year, he calls to wish her a Merry Christmas. It’s a call that she herself always looks forward to receiving.

Give children the home and the love that they deserve when you donate to the Holiday Fund. Your gift supports the Youth Consultation Services and its group homes for the most vulnerable children in our communities. Help now at holidayfund.org.

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