Worth It! A must read...

We recently asked families who completed our first-year foster family mentor program to share what the experience meant to them. One response stopped us in our tracks. We're sharing it here, in full, because it says better than we ever could what this program actually does for families and the children in their care.

Q: What have we gone over in the mentor program that has been the most valuable?

A: "One that comes to mind for me would probably be the information over trauma.  You always hear about trauma, but learning how to help a child through trauma is a whole different ball game... And learning that trauma can even come out in babies… or it can come out later in life.  I feel it’s so important for us know what to look for, to know how to best help them through it, how to seek help when needed, etc.

A second would be how important it is to have a support system.  Having a foster care mentor and having family/friend support.  It changes everything, and I believe, it sets you up for greater success with these precious children.

When someone is in your corner- helping you, giving you support and encouragement, bringing meals and diapers by… etc.  It means the world. When you have a mentor checking on you weekly, and knowing you can call them anytime… you do not feel alone and you know you have this amazing team behind you rooting you on.  It makes all the difference."

Q: What have you learned about foster care?

A: "I have been around foster care a lot in my life, but when you are involved first hand, you learn so. very. much.  It’s messy and heartbreaking and stressful and challenging and hard… but it’s truly all worth it if these precious children get to experience love, safety, peace, protection, laughter and joy, etc.   

It’s amazing to have a front row seat to witness God bringing beauty out of ashes.

I have also learned the incredible importance of surrounding yourself with a great support  system. It changes everything.

The positive changes I have noticed in our sweet boys life:

Everything!! It will change their entire world when they are surrounded by love.  It doesn’t erase the hurt, the trauma, the damage that has been done… but to see him heal and grow and just come alive… To see him thrive because he is in a home full of joy, love, and laughter.

When they get the medical help they need, and they have love, security, and feel safe - it’s amazing the change it makes!"

Q: What would you like to remember from your experience as a foster parent that no matter how hard, or how challenging it could be at times, it was all 100% worth it?

A: "Our lives all the sudden were filled with appointments; driving to OU, going to PT and OT, WIC, regular doctor appts, etc… And we held this precious baby, knowing the pain and suffering he had been through, and seeing first hand the lasting effects from that trauma, and just wishing we could just snuggle and kiss it all away for him.

Going to court for the first time was definitely an experience… it was a lot of instant change for our family, but it was, and is, all so very worth it.

Our family tried to keep God at the center of it all… we prayed together and laughed and cried together.

And when you can stick together, while having a beautiful support system, as hard as foster care can be, God will also bring beauty.

Witnessing God at work in our family, and in the lives of these children, will always be one of my most favorite things."

Q: What was the most beneficial thing you experienced in this program?

A: "I tell other people, I do not know how they made it through their foster care journey without this program.  I believe it is an absolute game changer!

Knowing you have someone in your corner for that first year, no matter what… someone you can call/text, day or night… someone who has been there and has SO much knowledge and wisdom to share… someone who absolutely understands what you are walking through.  It’s truly an  amazing program.

All of the weekly information that was sent for us to learn from was wonderful. The weekly check-ins and monthly gifts were all so supportive and encouraging.  We knew that we were never alone and someone was always in our corner.

Even the trip that was made to visit us and help us go through all of the overwhelming medical records- that was such a blessing to us!

It’s truly a wonderful program and it has been a tremendous blessing to our family!"

Q: Anything else you would like to add?

A: "What my family and I have most enjoyed during this season, besides our beautiful boy, lol, is the new community we have made.  We have either met, or visited on the phone, with some wonderful people who want to help encourage us, support us, and help Bubba any way they can.

It has been wonderful to have this new community, this new support system around us, who have helped carry us through this first year with their knowledge, wisdom, compassion, and love.

We thought we already had a good support system, but now we have another one full of caring, wonderful people who have truly stayed in our corner.

You tend to hear a lot of negativity from people when talking about the foster care world, so it has been a huge blessing to be surrounded by a community of case workers, medical professionals and staff, our mentor and the program, etc.  who have taken us by the hand and helped lead us through this first year while also doing everything they can for our little man.

We are truly going to look back and see countless blessings from our first year in foster care."

She said she doesn't know how families make it through their first year without this program. We don't either. That's why we're working to make sure no family has to. Thank you for making that possible.

Sarah Herrian, Executive Director

P.S. Did you know that over 90% of families who complete this program continue to foster? That compares to just 40% of families who go it alone.. Every family that stays means more children who find stability, and more kids who get to just be kids. It costs FCAO approximately $2,000 per year for a mentor match, and if you'd like to make sure this program is available to every family who wants it, you can click here to give in any amount.