When Travis was just 12 years old, he took on responsibilities no child should bear.
He never met his father, and when his mother was arrested on drug charges, Travis was left alone to care for his younger siblings —while only a child himself. When authorities discovered the situation, they were all taken into state custody. For Travis, the loss was overwhelming. Not only had he lost his mother, but he was also separated from the siblings he had been trying so hard to protect.
Travis’ first days at Windwood Farm were incredibly difficult. He was angry, withdrawn, and deeply hurt. Surrounded by therapists, caregivers, nurses, and teachers—and a safe environment—he slowly began to improve. He realized we cared about his well-being and were committed to his healing—that we were his champions.
Soon, he was adopted. But when an emergency sent him to the hospital, the unimaginable happened: his adoptive parents never returned. Once again, Travis was abandoned and the heartbreak was devastating. Thankfully, he still had a place that would always be there for him—Windwood. Travis believed something about him was fundamentally wrong. He struggled with self-harm behaviors, suicidal thoughts, and could not believe in a future. But through specialized trauma-focused therapy, strong educational support, and recreational development programs—fishing, birding, arts, and sports— his self-esteem healed. Over time, he began encouraging the other boys, many of whom looked up to him, saying, “I want to be just like Travis.”
The boy who once needed champions was becoming one.
When Travis began his freshman year with flying colors at a high school in Mt. Pleasant, we knew he needed a foster placement that would enable him to continue there. Soon, the right opportunity opened, and he was able to join a loving foster family who lived in the same district. Today, Travis is thriving. He’s doing well in his classes, trying out for the football team and even studying for his driving permit. The boy who once believed he had no future is now discovering his strength, confidence, and the hope of fulfilling his dreams—a true champion.
