Finding Home – Matthew's Story

photos & story by Nick Gast

Terrie Woods and her husband, Jack,

had to refinance their house. When that wasn't enough, they applied for a credit card. They never thought twice. They did whatever it took to bring little Matthew into their home. In 2007, they finally gained custody.

Woods, a Plains native, had been working with expecting mothers in Plains for almost five years when she met Matthew's mother in 1997. Matthew's mother was pregnant with her first child and had come to Woods for help. Woods immediately took to the girl and continued to assist her after her pregnancy, but eventually the two lost contact.

After two years without contact, the woman approached Woods and asked her for a favor. The woman was five months pregnant and was facing an impending prison sentence; she wanted Woods to take care of her child until she was released. That's how the Woods family first met Matthew.

After serving a two-year sentence, Matthew's mother took back custody of her son only to have Child Protective Services threaten to take him away 10 months later. Instead of letting CPS take her son away, she asked Woods to take Matthew back into her home.

Three years later, the Woods' became Matthew's legal permanent guardians. Terrie continues to assist mothers in the Plains area through her Blessings from Above pregnancy center and recently opened Blessings Thrift Store. Her compassion has benefited the lives of many in Plains, perhaps none more so than the 6-year-old boy living under her roof.