A heart-tugging letter from a young foster child in Oklahoma has captured national attention—serving as a powerful reminder of how deeply children in crisis long for basic safety and care.
The boy, whose early years were marked by neglect and hardship, was placed with a loving adoptive family thanks to Dreamcatchers for Abused Children—a child welfare nonprofit committed to helping abused and neglected children find safe, nurturing homes. The organization works across the U.S. to raise awareness, offer trauma recovery resources, and advocate for the rights of vulnerable youth.
Before settling into his new home, the boy gave his adoptive parents a handwritten note. What he asked for wasn’t toys, money, or gadgets—it was the most basic human needs. His words reflected a desperate wish for security, love, and normalcy.
Here’s what he wrote:
“Things I want in my family:”
- Food and water
- Don’t hit me
- A home with electricity and running water
- Love
- No fighting between mom and dad
- No drugs
- Don’t hurt my pets
- Help with school
- Clean clothes
- No lice, no bugs
- A clean home
- A bed with blankets
- Don’t sell my toys
- Fair treatment
- No drunkenness
- A TV
- Keep my school stuff
- Shoes that fit
- My own soap and comb
- A heated home and a coat
- A toothbrush
This humble wish list, filled with items many take for granted, sparked emotional reactions across the internet. The boy’s words shine a light on the urgent needs of children navigating foster care and family trauma—underscoring just how critical safe housing, stable families, and emotional healing are for young lives.
Advocates from Dreamcatchers for Abused Children stress that these seemingly simple requests point to much larger issues: child safety, mental health, and the importance of family stability. Their mission continues to drive change by providing children with access to emergency shelter, therapeutic support, and long-term care solutions.
This story is more than a viral moment—it’s a call to reflect on what every child deserves: warmth, protection, and unconditional love.