Imagine getting handed back your business card by someone you met a decade ago. Crystal Ross, Program Director for the Family Relief Nursery (FRN), doesn’t have to. In early 2024, a client from 10 years ago handed back Crystal’s card from when she was an intake coordinator. The client was ready to make a change.

Ten years ago, this client’s family came to the FRN. Crystal remembers how many stressors they faced at once.
Stress is a natural part of life; challenges come and go. But when stress piles-up, it can overwhelm a parent’s ability to respond in a healthy manner. Stressors can include major life events like moving, isolation due to divorce, a lack of support or social services, history of—or active—substance abuse, and past trauma. The FRN works to strengthen family stability and resilience against these stressors. Through this work FRN builds up protective factors that lead to healthier and more confident families.
“I remember the Relief Nursery and how much it helped my children,” the client said. “Even though I made poor choices as their mom at the time.”
Struggling with addiction, both parents pled guilty to child abuse and neglect. Facing prison sentences, the family was exited from FRN’s program. The client lost custody and the children were separated.
But, the story doesn’t end there. Some time later, Crystal received a phone call.

“She called me. She remembered my number,” Crystal said. The client told Crystal she had another child who would go to live with his grandmother while his mother served her sentence. “I was her one phone call from prison for a couple of times now.”
Flash forward to April of 2024 and Crystal arrives at the FRN to find this same client waiting for her. The client had been released and regained
custody of her child.
“She was just there, waiting in her car with her son – I couldn’t believe it.” Crystal said. “It had been nine years, but there she was looking for help and holding my old business card.”
Together – just like 10 years ago – Crystal did another intake for her child. The client was still facing major stressors, including continued struggles with substance use. However, Crystal said that thanks to the many services VOA Oregon provides she could call and connect the client to Outpatient Services and Home Free in that moment. Now, the client has help on the road to recovery with her addiction and the ability to move towards independence, free from domestic abuse.
“It has been hard for me to move on [and] show up as a parent in a way that I know I haven’t,” the client said. “[Now], I am attending group counseling while doing visits with [Crystal.] I am thankful this program was still around when I came back needing support and I am grateful for the opportunity.”
For Crystal, it’s being ready for someone when they’re ready to make a change and creating these kinds of connections that make showing-up each day worth it.
“Her journey speaks to her determination and drive to be a better parent,” Crystal said.