April 10, 2025

When the youth return to the Plummer Home from school, there’s always a rush of noise and commotion coming through the doorways. Except for Seth, who was usually hanging back quietly behind the others. Even though he wasn’t as boisterous as the other youth, Seth’s quiet charm and nonchalant presence gave everyone a sense of warmth.

Seth would say hello, but he didn’t stay too long for conversation. He’d promptly say, “I’m going to eat a ham sandwich,” and without another word, he would turn and head to the kitchen. On Wednesdays, he would do laundry. Every Wednesday without delay. The only task on the agenda and the most important in Seth’s mind.

Laundry was a big accomplishment for Seth as he unfortunately did not have many life skills when he first came to Plummer. As a youth with Autism, he faced communication challenges and routines became essential to ease his anxiety.

Navigating Unsteady Homes

From an early age, Seth faced a lot of turmoil growing up in an unsteady home. His mother had a substance abuse disorder and became incarcerated during his childhood. His father had disability challenges and was unable to care for Seth alone. Eventually, Seth had to enter custody of the Department of Children and Families (DCF) and move in with a foster family.

He lived with his foster family for many years but struggled with communication. The foster family mainly spoke Spanish, and this was especially challenging for Seth as a child on the autism spectrum. Despite the language barriers, Seth developed a close connection with his foster mother and developed his love for ham sandwiches from his time with her.

Unfortunately, during Seth’s teen years, the foster family was no longer able to care for him. Seth eventually came to Plummer Youth Promise. Plummer’s committed staff understood the importance of providing a strong relational support system for Seth. Parenting relationships are important for permanency and for a successful outcome in the youth’s future.

Reconnecting with Mom and Dad

We were able to arrange for visits with his father and received clearance for Seth to visit his mother in prison. Despite the challenges at home, Seth truly loved his mom and dad. He enjoyed having a chance to visit them and talk in person. Once Seth’s mother was released from prison, she entered a transitional period where she had trouble finding a place to stay.

Our team worked around this as we want to do everything possible to help youth sustain their precious family relationships. Seth’s mother was willing to put in the effort and we were more than willing to match it! We would accompany Seth for family visits to parks or cafes to keep the communication intact. Seeing his parents each week helped Seth keep a steady, predictable routine and provided him with much needed emotional support.

We also prepared Seth with independent living skills such as hygiene, cooking easy meals, and what soon became his favorite activity—laundry! As he continued to work with our staff, Seth became more comfortable speaking with others and gained confidence with his communication skills. He began to say hello to more staff members and share some funny bits about his classes in school. Seth quickly became an unforgettable youth that everyone looked forward to seeing in the Plummer home.

An Incredible New Home Setting

As his 22nd birthday grew closer, Seth had to begin thinking about where life would take him after Plummer Youth Promise. Each young person within our programs helps develop their own goals for their future. Even though Seth had rekindled his relationship with parents, they weren’t quite ready to take him in. An opportunity came for Seth in a unique new setting—a horse farm for retired animals, run by long-time foster mom Margaret.

Our team shared a bittersweet goodbye as Seth set off on his new adventure. He now lives on the horse farm with two other young men in a family-style environment. Margaret’s commitment to lifelong connections makes this opportunity even more special. She stays in touch with her former foster sons, always welcoming them back for visits and meals. This move is more than just a new place to live; this is a chance to become part of a lasting connection. Now with a renewed family bond with his parents and an exciting new home, Seth is able to grow and thrive.