This Family Reunification Month, we’re highlighting families who have reunified or stayed together after challenges or hardships. Thank you to Rebekah McKinney-Collins and Alan Wall for sharing your family’s impactful experience of reunifying with their son, William.
Can you tell me more about your family’s experience with reunification?
Rebekah: [After our family was separated], Alan and I both decided that we both would do absolutely everything we possibly could to reunify with our son William. We wanted to make the best out of the situation we were in. We had an amazing caseworker (Baylee from Cornerstones of Care) who was very kind and understanding. I could tell that Baylee genuinely wanted to help us reunify with William. We also felt like our parent aids were helpful.
Alan: My aunt took Will to live with her and had custody of him. We didn’t have really anybody else to rely on, so that’s why we had to go the route we did. We were going through a hard, stressful time. When we reunified, the judge said how proud we should be and that was his quickest case. It brought us both to tears. We were just so happy it was over.
“When we reunified, the judge said how proud we should be and that was his quickest case. It brought us both to tears. We were just so happy it was over.”
– Alan Wall
How did this experience impact you and your family?
Rebekah: Our family is very special and we are all very close. We just moved into a new apartment and we are all looking forward to our future together. Our bond is a lot stronger and we love spending time together. Now we have two boys. Alan and I want to make sure that we give them the best life possible.
What helped your family reunify during this time?
Rebekah: I can’t stress enough to take advantage of all the services that are offered to you. Therapy helped me the most. We did separate [rehab] to make sure that we could take care of ourselves and get better. Creating boundaries with people definitely helps. I was taking care of my mom, and I just needed to stop and take care of myself. Sometimes you have to make yourself better so that you can provide a good life for your kids.
Alan: ReDiscover in Kansas City is a great program. It’s a medication-assisted treatment, and we attend counseling sessions once a month.
Are there any resources or services you didn’t have access to that would have been helpful?
Rebekah: I think a parenting class would’ve been helpful.
Is there any advice you would give to families in similar situations?
Rebekah: I would tell other families to take advantage of all the resources offered, take initiative and hold yourself accountable. I would also say never give up hope, because if I can do it, you can do it. I would also tell others to use this time to take care of yourself and get the help you need so you can be the best parent to your child.
“I would tell others to use this time to take care of yourself and get the help you need so you can be the best parent to your child.”
– Rebekah McKinney-Collins
Alan: My thing is always hold on to hope, because it’s going to get better. But you do have to take action, start being responsible, and take advantage of resources.
Is there anything else you want to share?
Rebekah: Be very proud of reunification and cherish every moment you get with your kiddo.
To learn more about the power of family reunification, visit the American Bar Association’s Family Reunification Month page.
Blog by Charlotte Renner
