Alicia Westley found herself living in a field in Victorville when she discovered she was pregnant with her second child. At 41 years old, Alicia had been on and off the streets since she was about 12 years old, a consequence of her traumatic childhood marked by abuse and instability. 

Alicia battled addiction for decades, spending much of her first son’s life in unsafe housing. When she became pregnant again, she felt a deep desire to turn her life around. But she didn’t know where to start. 

She gave birth to her second son, Christopher, and shortly after he was born, was taken by Child Protective Services (CPS) after being hospitalized with COVID-19 and found meth in his system. In the wake of her arrest, Christopher entered the foster care system in San Bernardino County. Yet, despite this heartbreaking loss, Alicia held onto hope.   

“The first night in jail, when I heard Christopher was with CPS, I knew I had to change everything – at 41 years old,” said Alicia. “This poor baby has been through a lot. All because of me. I take full blame. I tell people, you have to forgive yourself and learn from your mistakes.” 

Christopher was placed with a loving foster mother, also named Alicia, through A Greater Hope, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting children and families in need. This unique arrangement allowed for collaboration between the two Alicias, ensuring Christopher would receive the love and care necessary for a healthy, thriving life. 

Providing Hope for Two Decades  

A Greater Hope was founded by philanthropist and real-estate developer Eva Ford in 2002, who herself suffered from neglect and abuse as a child in the segregated South but never entered the foster system. After a successful real estate career in California, she created the nonprofit to help children and families like her own, especially those in rural and remote communities that are often hard to reach. A Greater Hope was the first foster agency to serve Barstow and has expanded its service throughout San Bernardino and Riverside counties, as well as in Clark County, Nevada.  

Now led by Ms. Ford’s daughter, Helena Lopez, the organization has filled critical gaps in care for vulnerable children and at-risk parents. Beyond traditional foster care services, A Greater Hope provides comprehensive behavioral health support, individual therapy for parents, and group services that are vital for families in rural areas lacking access to mental health care. In 2024 alone, the organization served 430 children in foster care, provided over 9,000 hours of behavioral health services, and helped 91 children reunite with their birth families, alongside 80 successful adoptions. 

The Tale of Two Alicias 

While Christopher thrived under the care of his foster mom, his birth mom, Alicia, took steps to transform her life. Through close collaboration with her Greater Hope caseworker, Alicia got sober, attended parenting classes, and utilized county resources, participating in supervised visits with her son. 

A Greater Hope’s integrated care model went beyond conventional practices, ensuring that Christopher’s grandmother was included in supervised visits, creating a nurturing environment enveloped in familial love and support. Foster mom Alicia played a crucial role in fostering a reconnection between Christopher and his birth mom, providing a safe, encouraging home and acting as a mentor.  

Amanda Bell, director of development at A Greater Hope, highlighted the unique relationship between the two Alicias.  

“Foster mom Alicia exemplifies the ideal foster parent for both the child and their biological parent,” said Bell. “She empowered the birth mom while demonstrating the love and care Christopher needed.” 

Six months after Christopher was placed into CPS custody, he was joyfully reunited with Alicia, who has since become a healthier, stronger mother. Through the unwavering support of A Greater Hope, Alicia and Christopher not only reunited and are living in a safe home but also gained a large, caring extended family.  

“Alicia and I are best friends, and I never want to keep Christopher away from her and the foster family,” shared birth mom, Alicia. “We are forever a family.”  

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A Greater Hope is one of 40 organizations participating in IEHP Foundation’s Inaugural Champions for Vibrant Health Leadership Network, a two-year leadership development program for Inland Empire community-based organizations (CBOs) that address the social determinants of health. Learn more here.