Preserving Cultural Roots: How One Woman's Mission Uplifts Native American Youth in Foster Care

Elisia Manuel's journey as a foster parent and adoptive mother led her to establish Three Precious Miracles, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting vulnerable Native American youth and their families. Driven by a deep understanding of the importance of cultural connection, Manuel's organization provides essential resources, cultural programming, and a sense of community for Native American children in the foster care system and their caregivers.

Empowering Native American Families and Fostering Cultural Preservation

Answering the Call to Care

Elisia Manuel's path to founding Three Precious Miracles began with her own experience as a foster parent. When an urgent call came in 2012 for an infant in need of immediate care, Manuel knew she had to act. "A case manager said, 'You have 48 hours, and we need this car seat back,'" she recalled. This experience sparked Manuel's determination to create a support system for Native American children and their caregivers.As an Apache and Mexican woman, Manuel and her husband, Tecumseh, an enrolled member of the Gila River Indian Community, became licensed foster parents in 2012. They quickly found themselves caring for four children under the age of 2, a testament to the pressing need for Native American foster parents. Across the state of Arizona, Native American children are disproportionately represented in the foster care system, while the number of Native American foster parents remains limited.

Building a Lifeline for Vulnerable Youth

Driven by her personal experiences, Manuel established Three Precious Miracles, a volunteer-run organization that provides essential resources and support to Native American youth and their families. From her warehouse on the Gila River Indian Community, Manuel collects and distributes basic necessities like clothing, diapers, toiletries, and toys to those in need."If it's a mom that can't provide diapers or if there's a young person that has a need for shoes, then we want to try to help support that need," Manuel explained. "If we have the stuff, we'll give it to you." By addressing these immediate needs, Three Precious Miracles ensures that vulnerable children and their caregivers have access to the essentials they require.

Reigniting Cultural Connections

As Manuel's involvement with families in her community deepened, she recognized that the needs often extended beyond the practical. Many caregivers, both Native and non-Native, expressed a desire to keep children connected to their cultural and historical roots."Here in the state of Arizona, we have 22 beautiful tribes that surround us, corner to corner," Manuel said. "I had non-Native foster parents, and grandparents raising children, even some group homes say, 'How do I get my kids connected to culture?'"In response, Manuel launched initiatives to bridge this gap and reignite cultural connections. She started a quilting project where elders make quilts for children in foster care, each depicting the child's tribal affiliation. The organization also offers bead working classes, educational workshops, and parenting classes to help caregivers and children alike explore and celebrate their cultural heritage.

Embracing Identity and Community

For young people like 17-year-old Jaycob, who was adopted into a non-Native home at the age of 7, the cultural events and programming offered by Three Precious Miracles have been a lifeline. "There's a lot of kids that are like me, they are struggling to find themselves," he said. "It helps them. That inspires me to find out as much about who I am as a person and do what I can for my community."Manuel's organization hosts an annual powwow, a cultural ceremony of blessings, songs, drumming, and dancing, where Native people from all tribes can come together. This event provides a space for young people to connect with their roots, embrace their identity, and feel a sense of belonging within their community."There's thousands of Native children that are in care. I want kids to come and feel like their sense of identity and culture is right there," Manuel said. "I really want all these kids to know that they'll always be accepted, they'll be loved, and know where they come from."Through its multifaceted approach, Three Precious Miracles has become a beacon of hope for Native American children and their families, ensuring that cultural preservation and a strong sense of identity remain at the forefront of their mission. By empowering caregivers and providing essential resources, the organization is making a lasting impact on the lives of those it serves.