Though many children, ages two to 15 years-old, brought to Tree House are victims of domestic abuse, there are a wide range of reasons a child may be placed with us. Increasingly, children whose parents have lost their jobs and are financially unable to support them are being placed in the homes until a more stable permanent environment is available. In all cases, the individuals and families invo
lved receive the counseling they need while the children live in a nurturing environment and continue with their day-to-day routines. When children arrive at Tree House, they are paired with a staff member who serves as a “parent” during the child’s stay, taking the child to and from school or daycare and to their other normal activities. Children stay in Tree House homes anywhere from a few days to several months depending on their individual circumstances, and all efforts are made to keep siblings together. Every attempt is made to protect and comfort the children through this process. Tree House provides the necessities for children to function as normal as possible. Basic items such as toiletries, clothing, shoes and food, as well as toys, gifts for holidays, activities and school supplies are all provided to each child. When a child leaves a Tree House home, they are allowed to keep everything they receive there. The ultimate goal for the children is to remove the disruptive situation from their home so that they may be reunited with their family as soon as possible. Foster care is arranged for those needing longer-term situations and if the parental rights are severed, adoption is the next step.
