Elliott's Story

Meet Elliott! 

When Elliott entered foster care at age 11, he carried with him more than just his belongings — he carried uncertainty, sadness, and the hope of being reunited with his family. What he found at CEDARS was a foster family who didn’t just give him a place to stay — they gave him new experiences, lasting memories, and a sense of belonging he’ll never forget.  

Although he was safe in his new home, Elliott missed his family. CEDARS foster care team reassured him that they were working hard to reunite him with his uncle and siblings in another state, a process that was only supposed to take a few months. 

When the timeline unexpectedly grew lengthier, Elliott’s stay with his family became longer than planned.  Sensing how difficult this was for him, his foster parents went above and beyond to lift his spirits and help him feel at home. They learned about his interests and created fun experiences with each season. 

At Halloween, Elliott’s foster parents helped him carve his very first jack-o-lantern. At Christmas, he helped decorate the tree and build a gingerbread house for the first time. And when Easter came, he dyed eggs and joined in an Easter egg hunt, another first for him. 

Knowing Elliott’s love for trains, his foster family made a tradition of driving to a special location every Saturday where they could all watch the trains go by. They also nurtured his love for reading – his favorite being the Dogman books – and even took him to the theater when the Dogman movie was released, another exciting first experience for Elliott. 

Finally, on the day after school ended, Elliott’s uncle was able to bring him home. To mark the occasion, his foster family hosted a heartfelt goodbye party, complete with cupcakes and a special photo book filled with memories from their time together. 

Because of his foster family’s compassion and creativity, Elliott didn’t just feel safe—he felt seen, valued, and celebrated. CEDARS is so grateful for foster families like Elliott’s. Because of their selfless decision to open their hearts and homes, we can ensure kids at CEDARS feel safe, loved, and secure.