When his daughters grew up and moved out, he realized he wasn't done yet. Foster care gave him the chance to keep showing up as a father, a role model, and a safe place for kids who needed one.

What inspired you to become foster parents, and what has the journey meant to you and your family?

After my two daughters moved out, I felt I wasn't done being a father, teaching new things, and giving kids a better opportunity. I always wanted more children, and I am so grateful to have a permanent place in these kids' lives. I strive to be a great role model. My daughters have been so very supportive, and they look at our foster children as their own siblings.

Can you share a meaningful or memorable moment from your fostering experience that reminds you why fostering matters?

Most recently, I took placement of a young boy whose older sister I also have placement of. I wasn't sure how I would handle three kids, but seeing him reconnect with his older sister and watching their relationship grow reminds me what this is all about.

What's one piece of advice you'd give someone looking to start their foster parent journey?

Be patient. It is well worth it!!

When Amy's niece and nephews needed stability, she and her family showed up with open arms and an open home. Today, they're fostering to adopt and inspiring others to do the same.

What inspired you to become foster parents, and what has the journey meant to you and your family?

Our niece and two nephews were removed from their home and placed with another relative, but we felt a longer-term placement might be needed. Seeking guidance, we reached out to a trusted resource who encouraged us to complete foster parenting classes and obtain licensure so we could be considered a viable option by the court. Determined to support the children, we immediately contacted KVC, explained the situation, and received the necessary materials. Within two weeks, we were enrolled in classes!

We poured ourselves into the training and worked tirelessly to ensure everything was ready before the children's permanency hearing. Although our license was not yet finalized, the court still granted us temporary placement. That moment was incredibly meaningful. We received our license and have been granted placement of the three children at each permanency hearing.

Now, nearly two years later, the children have truly become part of our family and our community. We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to provide them with stability, love, and continuity, and we are joyfully moving forward in the adoption process. The classes and the foster care experience made us more aware of the tremendous need for foster families who can provide stability, consistency, and love. As we settle into this next chapter, we hope to provide respite and emergency care for children in need in the future.

Can you share a meaningful or memorable moment from your fostering experience that reminds you why fostering matters?

Among many memorable moments, seeing the children relax, smile, and simply be kids stands out. Witnessing them momentarily set aside their burdens is incredibly rewarding. I believe that creating positive memories for children who have experienced trauma helps instill strength, hope, and the trust that we will always be there for them. These small victories reinforce why fostering is so essential, reminding us of the profound impact we can have on a child's life.

What's one piece of advice you'd give someone looking to start their foster parent journey?

Get licensed. Participate openly in the classes and be honest. It is rewarding, but it is hard work, and the better prepared you are, the better you will be able to meet the needs of the children who come into your life.

Zyairrah's fostering journey started with one decision: show up and don't give up. Her story is a powerful reminder that what kids need most is someone who stays.

What inspired you to become foster parents, and what has the journey meant to you and your family?

I didn't originally set out to become a foster parent in the traditional way. A child from my own family ended up in the system, and once I learned that, I felt a responsibility and a calling to step up, get him out, and give him the stability he deserved. For me and my family, this journey has meant keeping our family together, breaking generational patterns, and building a safe, loving home where he knows he is not being given up on.

Can you share a meaningful or memorable moment from your fostering experience that reminds you why fostering matters?

One of the most meaningful moments for me was realizing how much stability and safety had changed him. When he first came to live with me, he had a long history of placements and, understandably, some significant behavioral challenges. Over time, with consistency and a lot of patience, I watched him transition out of a behavioral school and back into general education, graduate from the SED waiver, and start to trust that I was not going to give up on him no matter how hard he tested me. Seeing him relax into our home, build routines, and even start opening up to other biological family members reminded me exactly why fostering matters: kids don't just need a roof, they need someone who is going to stay.

What's one piece of advice you'd give someone looking to start their foster parent journey?

I would tell them to be honest with themselves about whether they are ready to stay, not just show up. These kids have already lost a lot, and they don't need a savior. They need someone consistent who will set boundaries, learn their history, and keep showing up even when it's hard or not pretty.

Bobbie knows firsthand what it means to need a safe place, because she was once a foster child herself. Today, she and his family are paying that stability forward, one child at a time.

What inspired you to become foster parents, and what has the journey meant to you and your family?

You might say our inspiration came through exposure and personal experience. I was a foster child myself during my teenage years, so the idea of fostering had been on my heart for a long time. It wasn't just something I understood from the outside, since I had lived it and knew how much stability and support can matter during that stage of life.

The decision became real for our family when one of our daughters called from school asking if a friend could come stay with us because she had just been placed in state custody. In that moment, it stopped being a distant idea and became something immediate and personal. We said yes, and that experience set us on the path to fostering.

Can you share a meaningful or memorable moment from your fostering experience that reminds you why fostering matters?

One of the most meaningful moments from our fostering experience came with our very first placement, a sibling set of three. Early on, there was a strong belief among the professionals involved in the case that reintegration with their biological parents was unlikely. By the second month, we were even approached about becoming an adoption resource. However, as we got to know the parents, it became clear to me that there was genuine love and commitment there. They were honest about their challenges and realistic about the work ahead.

The journey was far from straightforward. There were setbacks, unexpected changes, and difficult moments that tested everyone involved. Yet, over time, through persistence and growth, the parents were able to successfully reunify with their children. That outcome, which once seemed improbable, became a reality.

What makes this experience especially meaningful is that our relationship did not end with reintegration. We have remained in contact, and in a remarkable turn of events, the family eventually moved into a home very close to ours. This has allowed the children and our own son to continue their connection.

This experience reinforced for me that fostering is not solely about providing a temporary home, but about supporting families through a process of healing and reunification. It is a reminder that reintegration, when safe and possible, is truly a success for everyone involved and reflects the deeper purpose of fostering.

What's one piece of advice you'd give someone looking to start their foster parent journey?

One key piece of advice I would give to someone beginning their foster parent journey is to stay fully present and take each day as it comes. The nature of foster care is inherently unpredictable, as cases can change quickly and long-term outcomes are often uncertain. Rather than focusing on what tomorrow might bring, it is more meaningful and effective to center your attention on the child's immediate needs. Meet the child where they are emotionally and developmentally, recognizing that their experiences shape how they see and respond to the world. While life may not always be fair, especially in the circumstances that bring children into care, it is important to remember that children feel these challenges deeply. Approaching them with patience, empathy, and flexibility allows you to provide the stability and support they need in the present moment.