Even though Hailey plays the clarinet, made the honor roll, and loves to babysit her little sister, she wonders if others think of her differently because she is a foster kid.
Hailey told CEDARS (www.cedars-kids.org) she wants others to see her excitement, her hope and her pride, not her label.
“Foster care is the situation that these kids are in, but it doesn’t define who they are,” says Adrianne Poppe, CEDARS Foster Care recruiter. “They have the same excitement, hope and pride that other children have.”
For many potential foster parents, a misunderstanding has led to a belief that they will be opening their home to kids who are “bad” or “out of control.” The reality is, these kids are living with the effects of trauma. They want and need the same love as other kids.
“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 simply be their support and give them love,” Poppe says.
Every day, the CEDARS team is working to ensure that over 200 foster children and youth flourish in loving families. 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 regular training opportunities.
Kids come into foster care for a variety of reasons. Ultimately, CEDARS’ goal is to either safely reunite children in their care with their families or find a permanent new home for them. Until these goals can be achieved, foster families give kids stability and room to grow as individuals.
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. The CEDARS team is committed to providing the best experience possible to foster children and foster families.
“We have the privilege of walking alongside families as they uncover the rich rewards of seeing a foster son or daughter begin to relax and grow in their home,” Poppe says.
Foster parents play a special role in the lives of children like Hailey. If you have ever considered fostering and would like more information on CEDARS visit www.cedars-kids.org or please contact Adrianne Poppe at (402) 890-1410 or apoppe@cedars-kids.org.