Youth Thanks TYS for Reunification with Brother
24th of February 2024
15-year-old Felix has been fending for himself or moving from placement to placement in foster care his whole life. He and his siblings were removed from their parents due to neglect and were scattered throughout the foster care system when he was just 8 years of age. His mother moved out of the state and his father’s whereabouts are unknown.
Felix got to know his brother, Antonio (18), at family visits. As a teenager, Antonio was placed into a foster family home and they became his legal guardian. Felix, however, was 12 years old when he was placed into congregate care on one of Trinity Youth Service’s Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Program campuses (STRTP).
Felix’s dorm supervisor describes him as outgoing and self-confident. He advocates very well for himself and loves and cares for animals. One day, he would like to become a veterinarian. He likes shopping, playing video games, watching movies, and going on outings.
Getting to know his older brother and hearing about the home and family he has come to love, Felix naturally wanted that too. With the help of Trinity staff, Felix got his wish and was placed into the same foster family home as his brother after spending 22 months in placement on the STRTP campus. He is so happy in his new home and would like his foster parent to be his legal guardian one day.
Felix says he is grateful to Trinity’s staff for caring for him and not giving up on him. We are so thrilled to have been able to help Felix obtain permanency, a family, and a loving home. He looks forward to continuing bonding with his brother and playing video games with him. He hopes one day they can get an apartment together and is so grateful to be reunited with him.
Names have been changed to protect the privacy of the youth.
Jenelle Phillips, Director of Development
Jenelle’s role is to access and identify resources for youth in our care. She is also responsible for maintaining a distinctive look and voice for Trinity through our online presence, media and community outreach. Before joining the Trinity team in 2016, Jenelle worked in publishing for nearly a decade as a graphic designer, photographer, writer and editor. Jenelle earned a bachelor’s degree in communications at California State University Fullerton and has won several awards throughout her career including a few from the National Newspaper Association. Jenelle is also very involved in her community and is active in her church.
