Help Tory and Tina: A forever Home for Little E

Hi, my name is Ashleigh and I am fundraising for my brother and his wife.

In 2016 my brother and sister-in-law decided to adopt a child through DCF, after finding out they can't have children. They started their MAPP courses in 2017 and after they completed their training they were certified in August 2017. That same day just an hour or so after they were granted a foster license, a call came in for a 6 month old little angel needed a foster home. This was what they had waited for! Within a couple hours baby E was in her new foster home. I will never forget that day, meeting her for the first time, watching her and my son bond as new cousins was the best feeling. Quickly it became clear how Tory and Tina were made to be parents, and this was their calling. In addition, it was clear that this little angel filled a gap in our whole family. From grandparents to aunts and uncles to all the cousins… this little girl was loved and accepted by everyone. Most importantly she made their house a home.

As the years passed other foster children came into their home for the love and support they needed, and moved on to the next step in their lives. Baby E stayed and it was coming clear that if her status changed to adoption she would have a forever home with Tory and Tina. There were times when DCF were going to change her placement to an adoption, but her birth mother worked very hard to remain Baby E’s custodian. She overcame SO much and all that work paid off when in 2020 she was told Baby E (now 3 and a half years old) would come back to her. As a family that loved this little girl for 3 years, like our own blood… we were devastated. But we all knew this is what foster care is. We loved her as our own niece, cousin, and grandchild. Most importantly Tory and Tina kept her safe, and loved her the way any child deserves to be loved, like their own flesh and blood. This child had everything she could ever want or need. We loved her dearly.

Right before Christmas 2020 she went to live with her Birth mother and unfortunately, she is back in the foster care system with another family as my brother and his wife no longer have their license. This is where we need your help. Tory and Tina have a lawyer, and will be fighting as hard as they can to adopt her. Without the approval from DCF lawyer’s fees and house expenses come out of pocket.

Little E was a large part of our family, we rallied together as a family to welcome her in and help Tory and Tina the best we could when she first arrived and that is what we are doing now. I don't want Baby E to miss the opportunity for a forever home with the family she knows because of cost. Please help! Ohana means family, family means no one gets lost or forgotten, any assistance will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.