By ALEXIS LOWRY
Guest Columnist
This week, my husband and I received some unexpected but exciting news – a previous foster child of ours is coming back “home.” Additionally, she is changing her plan with us to “adoption.”
This will be the fifth child that my husband and I have fostered and then adopted, and it will mean our family is full. After fostering for five years with 12 different kids, we will no longer be a part of the foster system. And so, I am writing today to encourage new members of our community to get involved in fostering.
The timing could not be more aligned because May is Foster Care Awareness Month. Years ago, when I first became a foster parent, I wasn’t sure what to expect. But fostering gave me a whole new purpose in life. It is an incredible privilege to be the rock for a child in the scariest moment of their life. You get to love them, show up for them, and encourage them. You get to provide safety, security, routine, and structure. Often, these are things they need now more than ever before. It is extremely rewarding to give them a sense of control when they have felt completely powerless.
Even if you are not ready to make the commitment to fostering, there are other ways to get involved. Some people chose to join A Care Community, a group of people working together to help foster families with whatever they need the most. Care Communities can bring families dinners, help with childcare, or help around the house. For my family, our Care Community from Grace Church was an essential part of us being successful foster parents.
Additionally, I believe there is no better place to foster kids than the city of Westfield. Westfield Schools understand the educational support needed to make things easier for foster families when registering new kids. They even help with providing supplies, books, and free meals whenever they are needed. Westfield’s special school programs, like the Open Doors Food Pantry and Community Gardens, are incredibly valuable resources and can help settle kids as they transition to their new community.
Finally, the Westfield Youth Assistance Program can also be a huge support to ensure a foster family’s success. WYAP will work with a family to find kids mentors for their specific needs. All these programs make Westfield the perfect city to support getting involved in the foster program.
No matter how short your time with them, you make a life changing impact on a child’s life when you decide to foster. So today I am asking you to consider making one of the greatest contributions you can make to children in our community – fostering.
Alexis Lowry is a foster mother, small business owner, and candidate for Westfield City Council District 4. You can learn more about her online at AlexisForWestfield.com.