The Best Skill a Foster Parent Can Have

Nine-year-old Tyson came to CEDARS (www.cedars-kids.org) in need of a loving foster family. Like all children do, Tyson needed to live in a house where he could experience the everyday routines that make a home, as well as build trusted relationships that will give him the foundation for a successful future.

Kids come into foster care for a variety of reasons. Ultimately, the goal is to either safely reunite children with their families or find a permanent home for them. Until these goals can be achieved, foster families give kids stability and room to grow as individuals.

Every day, the CEDARS team is working to ensure that over 250 foster children and youth flourish in loving families. Because foster parents are an integral part of the CEDARS professional team, they are equipped with exceptional training, have access to support 24/7, monthly support groups and quarterly family gatherings.

“These kids really just want someone who’s going to open their home to them, take time to sit down with them, get to know a little bit about them, and give them love,” says Adrianne Poppe with CEDARS Foster Care team. “Foster care is the situation that these kids are in, but it doesn’t define who they are.”

Unfortunately, Tyson had big emotions about the changes in his young life. He felt a sense of loss, embarrassment, and even guilt. These emotions plus many others are common for a child in Tyson’s situation.

Because his foster parents persistently and gently demonstrated love, understanding and support, Tyson became comfortable enough to talk about his feelings. Most importantly, his foster parents listened. It was this acknowledgment of his feelings that gave Tyson confidence to fully open up. This was the best skill they could demonstrate as foster parents.

CEDARS staff walk alongside children and families every step of the way. With encouragement, guidance and direction, the team has the honor of watching lives change.

“I hear so often from foster parents,” Poppe says, “that fostering is the best thing that happened to them.”

It is important to know that there is no typical CEDARS foster family. CEDARS foster families include parents with children at home, single adults, couples hoping to adopt and empty nesters. To help, all you need is a stable home, an open heart and a willingness to reach out to a child in need.

If you have ever considered fostering and would like more information, please contact Adrianne Poppe at (402) 890-1410 or apoppe@cedars-kids.org.