Gigi Goodall

The Forgotten Girl Gigi Goodall

A heartrending true story of child neglect resulting in abandonment by parents and grandparents, referred by the author as a "couple of four" who were always together but had no room for her. They were neither rich nor poor, sick or alcoholics, separated or homeless. Lending her to a lifelong question of "why" and "Do you love me"? The author was profoundly affected by languishing in the 1940's foster care system till the age of thirteen then left with strangers and to fend for herself. She recalls how she struggled to survive and belong and how she finds fulfillment in redemption, love and giving through the miracle of attitude and faith. Author Gigi Goodall worked her way through childhood and adolescence of rejection and temporary placements in California. Marrying at the early age of 17 to Oliver Newell Goodall, she became the mother of four and a foster parent of 25 more children. After returning as an adult to high school, she worked her way to becoming a revered and honored social worker for the Department of Housing and Community Development, assisting the poor on both an administrative and highly personal level. Now in her seventies and retired, she continues to serve on the Foster Care Review Board in her county. She has served 20 years on the Family Selection Committee for Habitat for Humanity. She volunteers each week at Urban Ministries, a local food pantry and is director for Community Services of her local church