Photographer: Ralph Granich
The Grizzell Family
The Grizzell Family
Valerie and Red Grizzell have three sons. They always wanted to be there for their paternal granddaughter Brianna. When she was first placed in foster care at age 3, she lived with them for only a short time. Then for 12 years, Brianna moved from placement to placement, in and out of relative care and foster care homes. Brianna had 2 potential adoptive placements disrupt as well. Over the years, Valerie and Red were contacted a couple of times for possible placement, but each time, circumstances in their lives or complications with placements made it not possible. They lost contact with Brianna. Then, when Brianna was 13, an Alameda County Social Worker called them again. This felt like Brianna's last chance before heading for group home placement. Valerie and Red said "YES!" In November 2009, Brianna and her grandparents took a long awaited drive from Illinois to Oakland to participate in Alameda County's 10th Annual Adoption Day. Brianna's birth mother and both sets of great grandparents were there to celebrate her adoption with them!