Brenda felt like no one believed in her. That’s what she expressed to CEDARS Foster Care staff when she first came to us. She was coming out of a situation where she was living in unsanitary conditions and was badly neglected. Who would want to believe in her? Who would want to take her in?
For a teenager in the foster care system, she was experiencing a very understandable fear.
For many potential foster parents, the picture has been painted for them that they will be opening up their homes to babies and young children. In some cases, this is true, but the reality is there are teenagers in need of the safety, stability and family relationships that a foster family can provide. CEDARS Foster Care works with all ages of children and youth in crisis.
“Foster care is the situation that these kids are in, but it doesn’t need to define who they are,” says Adrianne Poppe, CEDARS Foster Care recruiter. “They have been dealt a hard hand, but that shouldn’t define who they are. They have the same excitement, hope and pride that other children have. Their response is the same regardless of their age. They 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 just be their support and give them love.”
Kids come into foster care for a variety of reasons. Ultimately, CEDARS’ goal is to either safely reunite children in our care with their families or find a permanent new home for them. Until these goals can be achieved, our foster families give kids stability and room to grow as individuals.
Every day, CEDARS Foster Care team is working to ensure that over 200 foster children and youth flourish in out-of-home care. Because foster parents are an integral part of the CEDARS professional team, they have access to support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, monthly support groups and quarterly gatherings for foster families, as well as regularly scheduled training opportunities.
Knowing Brenda’s fears, and acknowledging just how difficult it was to be removed from her home, CEDARS staff thoughtfully placed her with Heidi, a single mom of a daughter already away at college. Heidi was relieved she wouldn’t have to think about dirty diapers or daycare, that she could talk to her new foster daughter like an adult, that she would have someone at home with whom to discuss fashion and the newest technology. She was confident that CEDARS had found the right fit for both her and Brenda.
At first, Brenda was hesitant and resorted to behaviors she had learned in her past, but Heidi’s patience and love slowly allowed Brenda to confide in her. Eventually, she shared her desire to try out for the basketball team – a big step for Brenda. Heidi thanked her for her willingness to share and helped make the arrangements for a tryout. When Brenda made the J.V. team Heidi went to every game.
“I finally have someone to believe in me,” Brenda said.
It is important to know that there is no typical CEDARS foster family. Our 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. At CEDARS, we are committed to providing our foster children and foster families the best experience possible, and thoroughly enjoy walking alongside families as they uncover the rich rewards of seeing a foster son or daughter begin to relax and grow in their home.
Foster parents play a special role in the life of a child. If you have ever considered fostering and would like more information about CEDARS Foster Care, please contact Adrianne Poppe at 402.890.1410 or apoppe@cedars-kids.org.