Raised by his grandmother in Jamaica, Dave Thompson—affectionately known as Everald—always knew he wanted to give back to his community. "I grew up knowing I wanted to make a difference," he reflects.

This commitment deepened when Dave met Danny, inspiring him to complete The Village's therapeutic foster parenting certification. The Village empowered Dave with essential knowledge and skills for parenting a child with special needs. Through ongoing connections with other foster parents, he discovered that every parent encounters challenges, but at The Village, he found a supportive network and expert resources on child development and behavior.

After nine weeks of initial training and continued monthly sessions, Dave was ready to welcome Danny into his home. Their bond grew stronger, and in 2001, Dave officially became Danny’s foster parent. He set clear expectations with Danny, explaining that school reports would impact privileges like TV and video games, but he also emphasized rewards for positive behavior. "I didn’t treat mistakes like the end of the world," he says, "instead, I helped him learn and grow."

Thanks to Dave’s guidance, Danny’s reliance on medication gradually reduced until it was almost entirely unnecessary. In a joyous milestone, Dave adopted Danny on August 16, 2007, cementing a lifelong bond built on love, support, and resilience.