Once a Hephzibah Kid, Always a Hephzibah Kid

After finding a stable and loving forever family through Hephzibah’s foster care and adoption program, 20-year-old college student Braiden Neubecker is pursuing her dream to help others heal and thrive.

In fifth grade, Braiden Neubecker composed a moving essay about her Hephzibah foster/adoptive parents, David and Lee Neubecker.

“Before I lived with my two dads, my life was horrible,” she wrote. “I moved five times before my dad and daddy found me. I was four when I met them, and they promised that they would always love me and keep me safe. Now I am 10, and they have kept their promises. I believe I can do anything with their support.”

Braiden’s confidence in her ability to achieve her dreams with the help of her forever family proved to be well-founded. A decade after she wrote that essay, the college senior is majoring in psychology and planning to pursue graduate studies and a career in clinical mental health counseling.

“Coming out of the foster care system was a real struggle for me,” she confides today. “I had a lot of trauma that had not been addressed, and I was a pretty angry kid. But the support of my family and Hephzibah’s foster care team, along with therapy, helped me heal and develop the coping mechanisms I needed to move on. Now I want to help other people who are struggling with PTSD and other issues so that they can live their best lives.”

In Spring 2024, Braiden asked Hephzibah to help her achieve that goal.

“I wanted to get some experience in a social work or counseling setting, so I contacted the agency to see if I could serve as an intern,” she explains.

Braiden’s inquiry led her to Day Care Director Amy O’Rourke who—in her previous role as Hephzibah’s foster care services coordinator—was a member of the foster care team that placed Braiden and her younger brother with the Neubeckers in 2007.

“Amy was at our house a lot, checking in on us and asking us how we were doing,” says Braiden. “It made me feel safe and cared about. So it felt really good to see her again—and to have an opportunity to intern for her as a summer day camp counselor.”

It was a heartening experience for O’Rourke as well.

“When Braiden first came into care with Hephzibah as a frightened four-year-old, she was going through a really tough time. So it was very gratifying to see her thrive in her forever home and become the confident, positive person she is today. During her internship, she has been so nurturing and supportive with the children. It has been an honor to welcome Braiden back as an intern and to know that she sees Hephzibah as a place where she can grow professionally as she prepares for a future of helping others.”

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