By Natasha Schertz
It is 9:30 p.m. A 6-year-old boy is sitting in a police station squeezing a brand new teddy bear. All the adults around him are strangers. He is not sure if he can trust the police officers, considering they just removed him from his parents’ home. He is scared. The police officers try to make him smile, but tears stream down his little cheeks. All he wants is to be at home and in his bed. The problem is that home is no longer safe for this little boy. Another stranger approaches him. She gently explains that she is there to help keep him safe. She is a child protection specialist from DCFS. This woman talks to the little boy and tells him that he is going to stay with another family because his mom and dad are unable to keep him safe right now. She further explains that his mom and dad will need to work on some things before he can live with them again. The little boy looks sad and frightened. The child protection specialist continues to tell the boy more about the foster family he will soon meet. Slowly, he starts to look more relaxed as he learns about the family he will live with. The little boy is hesitantly happy when he hears that there is a 7-year-old boy in the home. The boy leaves the police station with the child protection specialist, has a medical exam, and then goes to his foster home.
John and Lisa Lowry became licensed foster parents five months ago. This will be their first placement. They feel nervous and excited about the opportunity to provide safety and love for this little boy. They decided to become licensed foster parents after reading an article in the local newspaper about the need for foster parents in their community. John and Lisa believed that they could make a difference in a child’s life. They knew that they could open their home and hearts to a child. Although this will be a big change for their family, they want to help. As they await their first placement, multiple things run through their minds: Will this child like us? Are we prepared despite all the training we went through? Will the birth parents despise us? When the child steps out of the car and walks toward their front door, their hearts hurt for this little boy. He is visibly shaken and uncertain about trusting the adults around him. He carries a single garbage bag full of his belongings. John and Lisa gently welcome him inside and show him his room. He sits on the edge of the bed and looks around. He notices a train table, stuffed animals, toy cars and trucks, and building blocks. By this time it is very late and the little boy is sleepy. John and Lisa tuck the little boy into his bed; he is still squeezing the teddy bear. They turn on his nightlight and let him sleep safely.
Do you have what it takes? Could you care for a child similar to this 6-year-old boy? Have you considered becoming a licensed foster parent? If you have answered yes to any of these questions, please contact a foster care agency in the community for more information about how you can help. Children entering foster care frequently come from unsafe environments. They need to be cared for, nurtured, and loved. They need someone to keep them safe. Becoming a foster parent is a big commitment, but the rewards can last a lifetime. Licensing agencies teach and provide the tools necessary for foster parents to succeed. John and Lisa knew they could provide a safe, stable, and loving home for children in foster care. Perhaps you know that you can too.
County, the local foster care agencies have partnered together to form the McLean County Foster Care Coalition in hope to recruit more foster homes for this community. If you are interested in learning more about becoming a foster parent, please contact the following agencies: The Baby Fold at 309-454-1770, The Center for Youth & Family Solutions at 309-820-7616, Children’s Home and Aid at 309-827-0374, or the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services at 309-828-0022.
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