Issac’s Story Forever Changed

If you had visited the orphanage where Issac has lived for these past five years, it would not have taken long for you to hear his story.  You would have heard that he was abandoned, left in a ditch on the side of the road of a small town, as a newborn. You would have heard how he was found by a stranger who heard him crying and took him to the authorities, who then took him to an orphanage in the city. The opening chapter of Isaac's story was difficult and left him labeled as an orphan and abandoned.

But thankfully, the beginning of a story doesn't define the whole story. There is always the possibility of redemption and a chance for a fresh start.

While reviewing the case files of kids in orphanages, our team read the little amount of information in Issac's case file, and they were determined to find a solution for him. 

They knew they had to start by getting more information and by going to look for an extended family member. If they didn't find any relatives, they could help move his case to the office of adoptions, but before that happened, they owed it to Issac and his potential biological family to get answers. 

We went with the social worker to look for information in the town that he was found as a baby. With limited information, we began interviewing residents of the town, who eventually pointed us to the woman who found him abandoned that day. She led us to a neighbor of where Issac's mom used to live, who eventually connected us to someone she knew who had Issac's Grandpa's phone number.  

The social worker called Isaac's Grandpa, and when he answered, she told him why she was calling. 

There was complete silence on the other end of the call. Seconds later, a broken voice, clearly holding back tears, asked, "Is he okay?" and "Where can I see him?"

We then learned that Issac's mom had hidden her pregnancy from her family and that with the help of a friend after she gave birth, she helped her give him away. 

Issac's Grandpa and extended family eventually found out the truth that the baby that was on the news years before was part of their family, but when they went to the local police looking for information, they were met with no answers to help them find him. 

When Issac found out that he was going to a supervised visit with his Grandpa, he was ecstatic! He said he couldn't believe he had a family and was so excited to meet them! 

Over the last few months, Issac has been having supervised visits with his Grandpa and extended family, getting to know each other better. With each visit, he would ask the team in the child welfare office when he could leave to go and live with his family.

Last week, Issac was officially reunited with his Grandpa!

Issac's life was marked by how his story began; it was who he was. 

But, he is no longer defined as the unwanted baby who was abandoned; now, he is a cherished part of a loving family. His story changed entirely last week when he was reunited with his family. 

We are so optimistic about what is to come for Issac and his family in this next, much more redemptive part of his story.

Thanks to your support, Issac's story has forever changed.