Healing at home: Intercept strengthens mother and daughter relationship
Shavonda’s daughter, Amiyah, had been in and out of residential facilities since she was 13 years old. Amiyah faced serious challenges like running away and getting into unsafe situations that eventually led to involvement with the juvenile justice system. After an incident that resulted in legal consequences, she was placed on house arrest.
It was a turning point for their family.
“For any parent, having your child in trouble with the law is scary,” Shavonda said. “You want to help, but there’s only so much you can do on your own.”
That’s when Intercept stepped in, an intensive in-home program preventing children from exiting the home and providing families with the tools they need to overcome their obstacles.
From the very beginning, Intercept Specialist Alexis Posey worked closely with both Amiyah and Shavonda, providing in-home therapy and skill-building while working on communication between the two.
Intercept was exactly what we needed. They didn’t come in with judgment. They came in with solutions, with compassion and with a real understanding of what we were going through.
Alexis helped Amiyah with anger management skills. She taught her how to communicate in moments of frustration, manage her emotions and build confidence in the choices she was making. Just as important, Alexis supported Shavonda in rebuilding trust with her daughter, setting boundaries and creating a stable home environment.
Together, they celebrated milestones big and small. A few of the celebrations came after a full week of school without an incident, a calm conversation during a tough moment and Amiyah’s decision to walk away from a conflict with a peer rather than escalate it. Each step forward was a testament to Amiyah’s growth and the unwavering support around her.
“There were moments where I worried if we were going to make it,” Shavonda said. “But Alexis reminded us that we’re not our mistakes. We can grow. We can change. And we can heal.”
Now, Amiyah is back home, attending school, staying on track and doing normal teenage activities. Her relationship with her mom is growing stronger every day.
“We’re back to doing the simple things like laughing, cooking, watching movies. That’s what I missed most when she was gone,” Shavonda said. “She’s not the same girl… She’s stronger, smarter, and she’s learning to believe in herself again.”
About Youth Villages – Kentucky
In collaboration with the Department of Community Based Services, our work in Kentucky focuses on strengthening families to prevent or limit the need for out-of-home placements (Intercept) and supporting youth who age out of foster care or lack a stable caregiver as they enter adulthood (LifeSet).
Do you or someone you know need support from LifeSet in Kentucky? To learn more about eligibility and referral criteria, please email KYLifeSet@youthvillages.org.
Donate now to help us expand our reach and build a stronger community.
Share on Social