Every year, Boys Town South Florida honors a family who has completed one or more Boys Town programs successfully. These families show immense strength and dedication in the program. Chase’s story embodies just that.
Boys Town South Florida’s Care Coordination Services Supervisor, Jennifer Sirois, nominated the Hamlins as Family of the Year. Jennifer worked with the Hamlin family, sharing parenting and coping skills, navigating mental health services, the school system and linking them to community resources.
Born to a mother dealing with drug addiction, Chase faced hardships from the very beginning. With no parents to support him, Chase was placed with his grandparents after he was born. As a baby, Chase was diagnosed with multiple vision impairments, which made his early years harder.
At the age of four, his grandmother became ill, forcing Chase into foster care. He had 13 different placements over the next two years, where he experienced neglect and physical abuse by foster siblings.
In 2019, after years of adversity, he was reunited with his grandparents. Lori and Peter had worked tirelessly to gain custody, and finally, in 2022, they officially adopted Chase.
In 2024, his elementary school referred Chase to Boys Town (due to frequent emotional outbursts.) With Jennifer’s expertise in Boys Town’s evidence-based interventions, Chase learned strategies to manage his frustration, to calm down and he also learned about boundaries and personal space. Key for him was learning respectful ways to share disappointments about his sight challenges.
Chase made strides academically by transitioning into mainstream classes, when possible, which helped improve his grades. He accomplished all his Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals and maintained near-perfect attendance for the first time ever.
Chase discovered a passion for sports, joining a local community recreation center and Special Olympics teams. These activities boosted his confidence, fostering teamwork and discipline.
Using his new skills, taught through Boys Town, Chase built strong connections with family and friends. This sense of belonging and stability played a crucial role in his emotional growth. Chase also found comfort in faith, joining his family’s local church.
Today, Chase is thriving and his success story is a celebration. Every child deserves a chance to grow, succeed and be surrounded by love. Chase’s story provides hope for children facing challenges.