The Nest

Our souls cry out to the baby birds who need a nest

There is something inside us that yearns to hold them

And shelter them

And heal them.

For a place in our nests has always been waiting for them.

We give them love,

These frail birds with broken wings who arrive at our doors

Feathers missing,

Dirty,

Broken,

Bloodied,

Hungry.

Sometimes chirping,

Sometimes silent,

Always watchful.

We fall in love with their eyes, sometimes blank, sometimes hurting.

We clean them up.

We bandage their wounds.

We feed their souls.

Our nest provides a safe resting place

Where they can heal

And grow

And gain strength

And courage

And learn how to love gently.

And so they discover

That love can soothe

And warm

And heal their brittle, angry hearts.

Their feathers begin to shine once more.

No longer do they hide their eyes in the brilliant sunshine.

Instead, they look out into the world

Bright,

 Inquisitive,

 Searching gazes,

Curious about all the world has to offer them

Curious about the nest they left behind

Curious about the future.

Then the baby bird steps out 

Shrieking to linger awhile longer

Or reluctantly, unsure of the future outside of the nest       

Or tentatively, hopeful but wary

Or boldly, sure and strong.

They do so carrying the strength of our nests within them

Whether they know it or not.

Our hearts,

 Both full and shattered

Joyful and wounded

Soon heal

Never to be the same

Grown larger,

Grown softer,

Grown wiser.

And we are, oh, so glad of the difference.

For with every baby bird who flies from our nests

Our souls also take flight

Circling,

Widening,

Invisibly wrapping each baby bird in the protection our nest briefly offered

Til we almost touch heaven

Knowing that for a time

However brief,

A baby bird

Was

Safe.

~by D McGovern

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At iFoster, we believe those who open their hearts and homes to children in foster care are unsung heroes. You shoulder the responsibility of raising over 500,000 of our most vulnerable children. And you do so despite a system that often provides less than half of what it costs to raise a child.

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When I think about who is one of the strongest child advocates I know, Laurie Reisman is always the person who comes to mind first.  Laurie is a dedicated Licensed Clinical Social Worker and is the Director of Operations at Family Services of Greater Waterbury where she has provided her professional talents for over 20 years.  Laurie has played a key role in developing programs to serve children and their families who have experienced abuse, neglect, mental illness, and/or family violence.  She has supervised and mentored staff to treat every person with dignity and respect with an emphasis on how to nurture and support each individual as we strive to strengthen their lives.

Laurie is a strong believer in partnering with local and state initiatives that promote safe and stable living environments for all children and the diverse family settings caring for them.  She has testified at the Legislature regarding the needs of children with mental illness to advocate for our lawmakers to make the right decisions on what is in the best interest of children with unique and special needs.  She strives for professional excellence each and every day.

In addition to her dedicated support to the clients and staff, Laurie walks the walk in her personal life as well.  After having two beautiful girls of their own, Laurie and her husband, Doug, became foster parents and soon adopted their youngest child who continues to thrive today.  Laurie and Doug also welcomed into their home a 19 year old girl who grew up in DCF's care, was successfully attending college and had nowhere to live during the summer breaks and recesses.  This young woman has become part of the Reisman family and continues to "come home" during each break from her college studies.  In addition, they took into their home a single mom and her young daughter until they could get back on their feet.  I do not know of many families would open their hearts and their home to others in need in the way they do.

In Laurie's spare time, she teaches at Naugatuck Valley Community College to inspire and educate students seeking to understand the how they can make a difference in the community in which they live and work.

Laurie is a true hero to the social work profession and I am proud of all of her many accomplishments and dedication to helping others have a happy and productive life.

Sandy Porteus, LCSW

Executive Director

Family Services of Greater Waterbury