“Every child deserves a champion: an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists they become the best they can possibly be.” — Rita F. Pierson
Hephzibah foster parents are heroes who feel compelled to help children in need. These generous souls drop everything and open their homes and hearts to kids who need it most, exactly when they need it. To show our gratitude, Hephzibah offers foster parents support by hosting a monthly Parents Night Out where staff entertain the children with fun activities while parents enjoy an evening out. We also guide foster parents to support networks and services they need in addition to offering help with food, supplies, transportation costs and more. At our recent foster parent appreciation dinner, we asked current Hephzibah foster parents to share their thoughts on fostering:
Kateland and Bryan:
Kateland and Bryan always knew they wanted to be foster parents after they were married. Initially, they didn’t plan on fostering to adopt, they simply wanted to help foster children in transition while they waited to reunite with their family or move to an adoptive home. That all changed when they became foster parents to George*. Kateland and Bryan felt a deep connection with George, who needed a permanent family, and they knew the only option was to start the adoption process. Helping George deal with the trauma he’d experienced was their top priority. Knowing that all foster and adoptive children have trauma at some level, they looked to Hephzibah to help guide them. Not only were Hephzibah staff there for them every step of the way, they helped provide them with a realistic mindset for being foster-to-adoptive parents. “We all want what’s best for George” Kateland and Bryan say. “Having a consistent team at Hephzibah has helped immensely.”
Seccoyah and Rodney:
“We love fostering, and of course it’s challenging, but it’s been great to watch our foster kids growing and changing” say Seccoyah and Rodney. Their foster sons Jaden* and Noah* make their family complete, according to the couple. Seccoyah and Rodney always want what is best for the child, and choose to foster regardless of the outcome—be it if the child returns to their biological family, moves into kinship care or an adoptive home. The true reward is watching their boys flourish in their care. “Jaden only had a nine word vocabulary when he came into our care. Now he’s speaking in full sentences, and you can’t put into words the joy that gives us.”
Hilary and JD:
When Hilary and JD began their foster journey with Hephzibah, their reason was clear: they wanted to expand their hearts and care for a foster child while they waited to be reunited with their bio family. After agreeing to become licensed foster parents, and after fostering seven-year-old Levi* for the past five months, Hilary and JD say it has been a wonderful journey and they have no regrets. Experiencing life through the eyes of a foster child has been life-changing for the new parents, and has changed their perspective on a lot, mostly by giving them the opportunity to love in a capacity they never have before.
Foster parents change the story of a child’s life. Hephzibah is grateful for each and every thoughtful individual who has opened their home to a foster child, and we can’t thank them enough!
*Names have been changed to protect the privacy of Hephzibah foster children.