When you look at a child, what do you see? Enthusiasm? Excitement? Hope for the future? Belief in their potential? What about when you think about a foster child? Is it the same?
Our great desire at CEDARS is that we all recognize, as a community, that EVERY child needs someone to believe in them. Despite the hurdles that many of the children in our care have experienced, they still believe in themselves, and all they need is for a trusting adult to come alongside them and believe that too. To invest in them, to encourage them, to love them and watch them grow.
To foster means: to promote the growth or development of; further; encourage; to bring up, raise, or rear; to care for or cherish.
That’s what kids in need of foster homes want more than anything.
“My wish is that the people in our community could know these kids the way we do,” says Jim Blue, CEO of CEDARS. “I wish they could see their eyes light up when they’ve accomplished something; see their chins lift when they receive a compliment; or notice the bounce in their step when they’re excited. Just like every other kid, they want to know that someone has noticed them and is proud of them.”
Children come into foster care for a variety of reasons. Their arrival to a new home may be planned well in advance or an unexpected move at 1:00 in the morning. Their stay may be short-term or long-term; some may even find a permanent home through adoption. CEDARS foster families provide all types of care to cover the needs of children including: Kinship or Relative Care; Traditional Licensed Foster Care; Respite Care and FosAdopt.
Ultimately CEDARS’ goal is to find safety and a permanent home for all children in our care, whether that means reuniting children with their families or finding a new home for them. Meanwhile, our foster families give children stability and room to grow as individuals. CEDARS’ foster parents become an integral part of our professional team. That means they have access to support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We offer monthly support groups, and regularly scheduled training opportunities.
It is important to know that there is no “typical” CEDARS foster family. Our families include parents with children at home, single adults, young couples and empty nesters. To help, all you need is a stable home, an open heart, and a willingness to see the potential of a child in need.
Knowing that every foster family is unique, the CEDARS foster care team works closely with our foster families to determine the best placement for them. Some families prefer fostering toddlers, while others enjoy helping teens or have a passion for keeping families together so take in a group of children. At CEDARS we are committed to providing our foster children and foster families the best experience possible. We enjoy walking alongside families as they uncover the rich rewards of seeing a child relax and grow in their home.
But every week we still turn away children because we do not have enough foster families. We need more people willing to play a special role in the life of a child. If you have ever considered fostering and would like more information, please contact Adrianne Poppe at (402) 434-5437 or apoppe@cedars-kids.org. You can also visit www.cedars-kids.org.