Rebecca is a child that touched everyone’s heart at Casa de los Niños. She arrived at the shelter extremely timid and not speaking. She was quite thin and had a larger than normal head circumference. We immediately learned that Rebecca did not like to be around many people and she felt especially threatened by strangers. Rebecca’s fear of people was particularly evident through preschool outings and events. When new people entered a room, she would run and hide under the tables and scream.
Rebecca preferred pushing people away and remaining in her own space than allowing anyone to comfort her. She also would not engage in daily activities. She only communicated through high pitch screaming.
During almost a year in Casa de los Niños shelter program, Rebecca gradually became more secure. Through therapeutic and developmental services, continued enrichment activities, and a structured environment, Rebecca actually gained a sense of humor and started to seek out affection with her care workers. Her language comprehension developed and she established friendships with her peers and built trust with Casa de los Niños staff. I remember on the day she left the shelter thinking, “Wow, this really is a completely different child.” She had gained weight, she looked healthy, and she was actually a happy child!