My husband, Trevor, and I started our foster care journey in 2019. We were newly married and knew we wanted to be involved in helping the most vulnerable children in our community. At the time, we lived in Broward County and got involved with 4kids. We were licensed by 2020 and did respite care for numerous families with large sibling groups. Respite care is essentially being an approved caregiver for an extended period of time while the foster parents assigned to the case were away for various reasons. This type of support is so vital, and I highly recommend getting involved in this capacity if you are able to offer foster parents much-needed relief and support. Sometimes, even a small effort can make an enormous difference in the lives of these children and the families who care for them.
In 2020, we were placed with our son, who would officially become our son just a couple short (but very long) years later. We were also pregnant with our daughter at the time. We had virtual twins, just 5 months apart. After these large changes, we were no longer able to take in long-term placements and closed our license. Even though we couldn’t continue fostering at that time, we discovered there are countless ways to stay involved, whether through providing support, raising awareness, or lending time to organizations that help children in care. There is truly something for everyone.
One year later, in 2021, I met Bailey through a foster community group. A few weeks after The Hands and Feet began, I was volunteering with social media behind the scenes, and the rest is history. From graphic design to finances, I have held many different titles and hats within this small organization. It has truly been life-changing to see how the impact has made a difference in our community.
If fostering or respite care isn’t the right fit for you, there are still countless ways to make a meaningful impact. Volunteering, donating, or even spreading the word about organizations like The Hands and Feet can create ripples of change for children in need. I encourage everyone to find their own way to get involved—you might be surprised at how life-changing it can be, not just for the children and families you support, but for yourself as well. Together, we can create a community of support for these kids and show them they are loved, valued, and supported.
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