BELLEVILLE, IL — As a nonprofit human services agency that touches the lives of more than 5,200 people each year, Caritas Family Solutions understands how quickly life can take an unexpected turn, and how vital support can be in helping people recover. For a local mom, Samantha, life had thrown her so many challenges that there was a time when getting back on her feet felt impossible. After enduring heartbreaking loss, medical crises, and the pain of being separated from her children, Samantha found strength with the support of Caritas. Her unwavering determination not only brought her family back together but also recently earned her a Parent of the Year Award from the Illinois Head Start Association (IHSA).
“Samantha is a perfect example of why we do what we do at Caritas,” said Gretchen Truax, Foster Care Supervisor at Caritas. “She was a good person, who experienced unimaginable tragedy and loss, and was struggling to find her way again. It takes hard work to climb your way back from something like that, and we’re so proud of her success. And most importantly, we’re so thankful that her beautiful children have been reunited with her.”
Samantha gave birth to twins in November 2019, and lost her husband to cancer just days later. While grieving and recovering from birth and pregnancy, her newborn son, Ryland, was born with a heart defect and spent months in the NICU. Just as life began to stabilize, tragedy struck again. Ryland suffered a brain bleed shortly after coming home, and the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) removed all of her children due to concerns that Samantha was unable to safely care for them.
Samantha immersed herself in research, parenting classes, counseling, and support groups, and never gave up on getting her children back. She learned that brain bleeds are a known and recognized risk for infants who have undergone open-heart surgery. Samantha worked closely with Caritas and credits her case worker Carolyn with helping her rebuild her life and fight for her family.
“Carolyn was more than a case manager. She felt like a mother-figure to me and I don’t think I would’ve made it through without her,” said Samantha. “I was so caught up in trying to impress the right people and change minds, but Carolyn helped me see what really mattered. She gave me direction and resources, advocated for me, and helped me find the strength I didn’t know I had.”
Caritas takes a whole-family approach, first ensuring the safety and well-being of the children and helping parents resolve their situation. Case managers work to reunite families by providing the necessary services and tools to help parents resolve their current circumstances, and manage future challenges without becoming involved in the child welfare system again.
“Everyone needs help at some point in their life and Samantha’s story is a powerful example of what’s possible when a parent feels supported,” said Truax. “Her strength, love, and unwavering perseverance, combined with the steady guidance from Caritas, helped her reclaim her life and reunite her family, despite every obstacle in her path.”
Today, all of Samantha’s children are home for good and the family is thriving. Samantha currently serves as President of the Policy Council for Head Start and sits on the Board of Directors for the IHSA. She credits Head Start with giving her purpose, and has advocated for IHSA in Washington, D.C. Her leadership and dedication to the organization earned her a Parent of the Year award in 2025.
“The biggest message I’d want to share with other parents is to never give up,” said Samantha. “When things are hard, rely on the good people in your life and remember that it will get better.”
Founded in 1947, Caritas Family Solutions is a nonprofit social service agency whose mission is to strengthen the social and emotional well-being of individuals and families in order to create healthy relationships, loving homes, and strong communities. Services include adoption, community family stabilization programs, foster care, counseling, residential treatment for children healing from abuse and/or neglect, independent living for adults with developmental disabilities (CILA), and assisted living. Caritas serves more than 6,300 individuals annually across Southern Illinois from offices located in Belleville, Carterville, Mount Vernon, Olney, Glen Carbon, Alton, and Effingham as well as satellite locations in Highland and Sparta. For additional information, visit www.caritasfamilysolutions.org.