Sabas's Story

After 18 “homes” it wouldn’t be surprising if Sabas didn’t graduate from high school on time.  But he will.  Little Wishes just paid for the bright yellow cap and gown he’ll proudly wear as he walks across the stage and accepts his High School diploma from Chief Sealth High.  It’s been a long, bumpy road for him, though.

Sabas entered foster care at the age of five when his Aunt, the only parent he’d ever known, died.  Over the next eight years Sabas was in and out of 12 foster homes.  In an attempt to keep him with family, he was sent to live with an adult cousin.  His cousin became addicted to drugs and alcohol and Sabas ran away.  For three months he slept on friends couches.  He realized that he couldn’t keep this up and turned himself in to the Department of Social and Human Services (DSHS).  Sabas would go on to live in two more homes before entering his freshman year at Highline High School.  Midway through his freshman year Sabas was moved to yet another group home, only it was across town so he was forced to switch high schools and he enrolled at Chief Sealth High.  With diagnosed learning disabilities in writing and math, school had always been a struggle for Sabas.  This mid-year move only made things worse. 

It’s not hard to imagine that through all of this Sabas suffered from severe depression and emotional trouble.  He candidly shares that there were times when he just didn’t want to wake up.

By the time he was 16 he was living in his 17th “home” and he’d had enough.  This time Sabas sought the help of Casey Family Programs because he’d heard they had good programs for teens in foster care.  It was through Casey Family Programs that Sabas met Albert.  Albert was a licensed foster parent, but he’d never had a foster child.  After an awkward first meeting, Sabas moved in with Albert.  Gradually they earned each other’s trust and Albert became the thing that kids in foster care need most;  someone they can rely on no matter what.  Albert helped Sabas find his motivation and focus.  With Albert’s help Sabas began to consider his future.

Sabas had another stroke of good luck when his social worker referred him to Treehouse.  Sabas has taken full advantage of all that Treehouse offers to help foster  kids thrive.  He visits the Wearhouse for clothes, shoes, and school supplies.  Little Wishes helps pay for his school yearbook, basketball uniforms, and school pictures.  He comes to Treehouse three times a week for help with math.  And he’s a part of our College and Career Planning program.  It was in this program where Sabas realized that college wasn’t just for those other kids.  And once he realized this, there was no holding him back.  He’s worked with his CCP coach to find a community college that has a high transfer rate to four year schools.  This is important to him because what he ultimately wants to do is study social work so he can help kids like him. 

With only a month of high school left, Sabas will admit that he has a case of “senioritis”.  He’s ready to be done with high school and move on to his future because he believes that there are better things in store for him.  He sees possibilities for himself.  Although his experiences have forced him to grow up faster than most teens, they have also made him stronger.  He wants a chance to go to college so that he can make a difference in the world.
May is foster care month, but kids living in foster care need support year-round.  Learn more about Treehouse and our College and Career Planning program on our website.  You can check out our Get Involved page for ideas on ways you can help.