“Beacon of Betterment: Rectifying the Journey Home” | YWCA Legislative Breakfast 2024 Presentation
This piece was created through the lens of identifying areas discussed during a “Community Matters” conversation. The premise of this panel-led discussion centered around “Ending the Need for Group Placement”. Although I have over 10+ years of working with youth and collaborating with agencies who support and service groups homes, foster care, and similar relevant to the Department of Children and Families, I wanted to come in with a blank canvas - literally.
To tie in key attributes described, this painting centers in the sea. The moderator raised a striking analogy asking, “what’s going on upstream?” which provided context of babies arriving to shore with no rhyme, reason, or recourse. That thought inspired a connection to include a lighthouse which represents the beacon of light DCF Commissioner, Vannessa Dorantes opened with. She talked about Connecticut being one of several states demonstrating stark deficits in children/family placement success rates and development. However, after coming up with innovative methods, reassessing conditions and seeking alternatives, our state has spearheaded a successful turnaround. We could potentially be a blueprint of redemption in steering our course in the right direction. The vision of reuniting families and providing them with the tools needed to create a conducive family environment is in the forefront and toward the lighthouse. Appropriately finding what root causes are and having the patience in place to work with individuals is key. “Poverty is often mistaken for neglect.” I wanted to use a black father indicating the racial disparities and pressure to be a provider. Often, in households who lack additional resources or financial providers, overcompensation comes to fruition. The groceries are there with the target on his back denoting this misconception of neglect when the first priority is to ensure a shelter, food, and clothing. He is embracing children, who may or may not be biologically his. Love is there, but it may look a little different depending on the circumstances. No system or situation is perfect, but empowering our communities to speak and exchange truths will lead to better practices.
In recognition of continuously striving for better circumstances, a prominent notion was brought forward that “both the system and people (within), needed to change”. Facing these challenges is the start. Hence the approach in trying to repair with what we have when we have it. The Band-Aid over the ship in the forefront, labeled DCF hints at patches in the system that can’t be fixed with temporary treatment. The ship that is above, cruising along has pieces being dismantled and reconfigured while mapping out the blueprint. The ship is labeled “Foster Care” but also has “Reunite” spray painted in front leading the way to light. In the sea are desolate youth of varying ages, but primarily adolescents as they are the population who’s often forgotten or shuffled through the system requiring them to adapt and survive. The juvenile justice system is the last resort and it’s boarded and broken in the sea. Lastly, on the horizon, is the promised land all are trying to get to. The compass signifies the sun and north star. Depending on perspective, it could be a sunset, indicating the long end of a day and getting closer to the destination of home. It could also symbolize the sunrise of a new day and jolt required for the work to be done to find home. Some appear hopeless, some searching for assistance, some too young to even be aware of their circumstances. However, all are looking for a home that welcomes and embraces them.