Albert's life was quiet in a way it had never been before. Untouched toys and small shoes remained, but Albert's children: Lucille, Isabelle, and Albert Jr. were gone.
In October 2023, Albert Fulmer Sr.'s children were removed from his home due to environmental neglect and Albert's battle with substance abuse. He wanted to be the father his children needed—but the road back to them seemed impossibly long.
When Albert sought help from the 100 Families Initiative, he was in crisis. He had no stable housing, had never had a driver’s license, and had no form of transportation. Court fines loomed, and he lacked the parenting tools and support necessary to meet the requirements laid out in his DCFS case plan. But despite the overwhelming obstacles, Albert chose to fight for his family.
With the help of a dedicated family advocate and a web of community partners, Albert began to rebuild.
The Storehouse, a ministry of Valley Baptist Church, gave Albert a bicycle so he could get to work—his first step toward independence. They also provided beds for his children, preparing his home for their eventual return. Through Friends for Life, he completed parenting classes that helped him grow into the role of a more confident and connected father.
United Way made the holidays a little brighter with Christmas assistance, reminding Albert that he and his family were not forgotten. Hope Restored stepped in with clothing for Albert and his children, meeting basic needs during a time of transition. Sparrow’s Promise offered a space for supervised visits, allowing Albert to stay emotionally close to his children while he worked to bring them home.
Piece by piece, Albert began to reclaim his life.
By March 2025—just five months after his children's removal—Albert had achieved what once felt impossible. He was sober. He had secured a clean, safe home. His court fines were paid. He had earned a driver’s license and now drove a registered and insured van. Most importantly, Lucille, Isabelle, and Albert Jr. were home again.
Families in crisis need more than systems—they need support, grace, and people willing to walk alongside them. Thanks to Albert’s courage and the strength of a caring community, a father and his children are together again.
Smart Justice is a magazine, podcast, and continuing news coverage from the nonprofit Restore Hope and covers the pursuit of better outcomes on justice system-related issues, such as child welfare, incarceration, and juvenile justice. Our coverage is solutions-oriented, focusing on the innovative ways in which communities are solving issues and the lessons that have been learned as a result of successes and challenges.
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