THE FOSTER CARE COMMUNITy
Rachel is a youth in our Dare to Dream program who has grown up in foster care––and has moved over 50 times in her life. The good news is that Rachel is an incredibly resilient young woman and has been determined to not let this break her spirit. She does well in school and has some pretty amazing long-term goals for herself, including a dream of attending the University of Texas and majoring in fine arts and dance. She then wants to attend UT Law School and eventually become a judge for children in foster care. Rachel is stylish, and loves clothes and shoes. She is friendly, outgoing, caring, and polite. She likes to do arts and crafts and especially likes to make bracelets and necklaces with beads. She enjoys dancing, shopping, and music. She also likes to write song lyrics and stories, and loves to sing (you should hear her voice!) She is now 18, has aged out of foster care, and settled into her own place... But this apartment was completely empty. Rachel's Dare to Dream mentor has done an incredible job supporting her through this transition, but given the high need, she knew she could give Rachel the support she needed alone. So we decided to get the community involved. We needed everyone's help bringing Rachel's empty apartment to life and making it feel like a safe, comforting refuge for her to come home to. Some examples of items we were looking for: kitchen utensils, cleaning supplies, laundry items, apartment decor, paper products, clothing and shoes, gift cards and more. We wanted to help increase Rachel's self esteem and normalcy, and set her up for a different trajectory than the life she has experienced. By rallying around Rachel and her mentor, they would be able to focus less on these basic needs and more on school, employment, budgeting and dreaming of new possibilities for life after foster care. So we sent out an ask to the community... ... And in less than 20 MINUTES our community showed up BIG TIME! Rachel's entire wishlist was fulfilled so quickly, we thought, "There must have been a glitch! Certainly everything could not have been purchased this quickly!"
From the bottom of our hearts, we thank every single person who showed up for a youth in need in our community. We are humbled and honored to be surrounded by such a generous community of real-life angels. Later that week, Rachel's mentor shared the following: "Thank you to all that continue to support me as I help mentor a youth experiencing foster care. Today because of the generosity of Spa Luxe and The Ground Guys of Pflugerville I am taking Rachel for her first fancy spa pedicure for her 19th birthday! She was so excited when she saw where we pulled up!" In 2019, we had an incredible 45 adoptions take place in families served through our programs! It is an honor to walk alongside our families no matter where their journeys may lead, but it is extra special when we are able to watch their forever unfold. Last month we invited these families to The Hive to celebrate. Thanks to our generous community partners, they enjoyed pizza and snacks, a photo booth, face painting, games and a gorgeous “gotcha cake.” A very special thank you to all of our sponsors who made this day possible:⠀
Click the video below to watch a recap video of our Adoption Celebration! Earlier this month, we shared with you the story of local police officer, Erika, who took in the newborn baby of a family she had met while on the job. Within just 24 hours, Erika made the life-altering decision to pick the baby up from the hospital and would care for him for the next 3 months. This is fostering - unpredictable and a bit chaotic, but full of love, hope and redemption. New parents typically spend roughly 9 months preparing for the arrival of their baby. American culture has developed many different ways to celebrate the upcoming birth of a child, including: pregnancy announcements, gender reveal parties, maternity photo-shoots, and fun apps that illustrate a baby's current size and stage of development. Many first-time parents are thrown a baby shower to honor this new chapter, offer love and advice for the parents-to-be, and offset the heavy costs of all the items needed to care for the baby. Additionally, most working parents are able to alert their workplace of their needs ahead of time, and plan for their upcoming maternity or paternity leave. Welcoming a new foster placement is not as predictable an experience. A nine-month preparation period is reduced to as little as hours of warning before the child(ren)'s arrival. Foster parents may not even know important details like gender, age, how many children need placing, how many belongings the child is coming with (which, in some cases, is none) and what the child's health and medical needs are. This time can be especially difficult for those fostering their first infant or toddler, who need the same variety of items that are typically provided through a baby shower registry - car seats, strollers, diapers, bottles, formula and high chair are large expenses that a foster parent needs to suddenly pay for. Working parents may have to adjust their work schedules with little to no notice, and quickly plan for childcare assistance. So how can you support a foster parent who has just welcomed a child (of any age) into their home?
Not everyone is called to foster or adopt, but everyone can do something to support those who do. Visit www.austinangels.com to learn more about how you can start supporting a local foster family! In December, we celebrated the graduation of 12 youth from the Fall 2019 semester of our Entrepreneur Workshop! A little over a year ago, Austin Angels began collaborating with High 5 Inspirations, a company that provides entrepreneurial education and support to children in foster care, with a goal to empower kids to be the creators of their own destinies. From this shared goal, Austin Angels and High 5 collectively launched the Entrepreneur Workshop - a semester-long course for youth between 12 and 18 years old, that teaches them important skills around entrepreneurism, problem-solving, business knowledge, financial literacy. Students are asked to come up with their own business idea, and at the end of the semester, present their idea to the class. One student presented about a coffee shop that employs people who have had trouble with the law to give them a second chance at rehabilitation, and another student dreamed up a podcast that takes everyday news stories and retells them in a way that is more easily understandable for kids their age. Each of them works so hard to develop their businesses over the course of the semester, and we want to ensure that they feel confident and excited going into their final presentation. We were so grateful to partner with Capital One Café Domain NORTHSIDE once again to offer a clean, modern workspace and refreshments for the duration of the program, as well as swag bags full of goodies for graduation day. Our friends at Ticket to Dream donated laptops for each student, May Designs provided gorgeous, personalized notebooks, and Melody Ross offered gifts for each student to receive on graduation day as well! The heart of our Dare to Dream Program is to walk alongside youth as they navigate life's challenges and prepare to age out of foster care. We believe that community, empowerment and hope are the keys to youth reaching their fullest potential and thriving in adulthood. Thanks to our incredible partners and donors, we are able to provide our youth with extracurricular programs, like our Entrepreneur Workshop, that increase their self-confidence, create opportunity and encourage them to reach for the stars. Click the video below to watch a quick recap of Graduation Day: Ten years ago, I began attending a new church, and on my second Sunday, the pastor jokingly announced that he and his wife had ten children and were in need of a nanny. I approached him after the service and told him I was a professional nanny and in-between jobs. He explained that they had just received a foster placement of a sibling group of five, and I volunteered (yes, volunteered) to be their nanny. For the next year I cared for five beautiful children until they were placed with an adoptive family. I then decided that I wanted to foster myself. I applied with the agency that my pastor had used and soon received a call, but not one I was expecting. The director of the agency was on the other end, and after exchanging pleasantries, she simply asked if I wanted to help one child or a hundred. I was confused at first, then quickly realized she was offering me a job with the agency. For the next 7 years I worked as a foster home developer and placement coordinator. When the “tide turned” and I found myself working in another field, I decided that I would apply to be a foster parent again. Michaella, Christian, and Ava were my first placements. They came into care 66 minutes after I was licensed for three kids. I got my license at 11:22 a.m. on March 3rd, 2017, and received the call for placement at 12:28 p.m. Michaella was out of the age range I initially was open to––just because I was terrified of the school schedule. Daycare is consistent and doesn’t take spring break and summers off! But I said, “Let’s do it.” It’s funny how when you’re faced with a real life in your hands, some silly school schedule fear seems trivial. I found out later that I was the only open home in the state with three open beds that night. Had I not said yes, they would have been split up and put into different shelters. A friend posted about Austin Angels shortly after I received my first placement and I commented something to the effect of “ME, ME, ME PLEASE ME! I need support!!”, because I had no illusions or delusions that I could do this on my own. After speaking with Kathleen and hearing the support a Love Box group would offer, I decided to join. I started with a large group of people willing to help. It quickly dwindled as trauma behaviors started to emerge. Once the members of my Love Box group got set up to provide babysitting; I rarely had to ask because they called me and asked to take the kids out or have them over for a sleepover. In addition we had a shared list on our phones that I updated each month with our needs: laundry soap, shoes for one of the kids, help cleaning the house, a game for the family, and numerous other things including a handwritten note to each child from a different member with each box. Through this program I have gained friendship and community––people to text when I need to vent or joke or ask for prayer. Some of our most fun adventures have been arranged and provided by Austin Angels. One of the latest was an afternoon boat ride on Lake Travis. We scheduled it for the afternoon after the adoption was granted and we were able to celebrate with the whole family! There have been so many sweet moments with our Love Box group, but the one that stands out was from earlier this year. I have severe asthma and had an attack. These attacks are debilitating and require hospitalizations and numerous ER visits. We were managing everything okay until we weren’t. I called a member of our Love Box group and hastily explained the situation. After receiving a reprimand for not calling them sooner and me guiltily and lovingly receiving it I heard the words, “What do you need us to do?” We needed someone to pick up the kids and keep them for the evening while I, again, went to the ER. She said she’s got it and would call me when the kids were picked up and settled. And they did just that. I had no worries and could focus on my health for the evening. We have enjoyed hanging out at our Love Box leader’s house––playing corn hole, roasting marshmallows, and meeting more of the group, going to the Austin Aquarium, and a picnic at Central Market, and hundreds of things that I can’t recall at the moment. They even did a “girl’s night” just for this foster momma. I needed a night off out with friends and we had a blast. I went out for dinner then did a little geocaching! I think each family will have a unique set of needs and approaching the connection as a relationship will set each family and Love Box group up for success. "there are many types of support available to foster families, but the intention of building community has been the greatest blessing we have received." The greatest challenges of fostering have been gaining their trust and listening to them recount their lives “pre-me,” but these have also been some of the greatest joys––being able to walk with them through healing.
I was never closed to adoption, I just pictured being the home that would have multiple placements, and I was ok with that. The last part of “standing in the gap” is until reunification or adoption. To keep siblings together until one of those occurred. When our case neared the end, it looked like a separation adoption was likely. I was, to be blunt, mad. My life is prayerfully led, and I’d checked in on occasion just to see if these were to be my children. My answer was always a no. Until one day in a prayer of frustration I ask God again, “Do I adopt them?” And a very clear yes was spoken to my heart. So clear that my prayer of frustration stopped, I stopped, then I started a prayer of confusion (ha!). “You said no the whole time, am I hearing you correctly now?” I received no answer. I also believe that God confirms his word 3 times. The next day at church it just so happened that my boyfriend (at the time, now husband) and I were able to go sit in service. This was atypical because one of the children would always need our support during kids’ church so we would normally hang around close to where the kids were. After several minutes of not being needed by any of the kids, we dared to go into service. At the end of the service our pastor called us both up to the altar. He prayed a lengthy prayer over me of which all I remember were the words “these are your children.” I gasped and rationalized “Okay, this could be the first confirmation, but it could also just be prayer that I’ve cared well for these children.” The second confirmation I can’t describe to you. It came only a few hours after the first. The absolute only thing I remember about the second confirmation was my immediate reaction of “Oh crap, that’s the second!”, and a giddiness that was a mix of emotions. I had a couple days to calm down and let doubt creep in, until one evening while making dinner, Ava, contently playing with toys near me, dropped her toys, toddled to me, hugged my leg tight, and said, “You’re my mom.” A sudden wave of relief consumed me and I just said “Yes, I am.” Ava’s declaration came in the middle of a plan change to kinship adoption, which we supported. It was an interesting “God spot” to be in knowing these are my children, God said so, yet still being fully supportive of the perceived healthy family adoption that had now become interested. We stayed this path for a few months while the family member pursued licensure and we began a visit/transition plan with the family member. As the final transition date approached and the final licensing process entered things began... not adding up. I was getting calls from CPS asking about how the visits were going and my honest answer was “Not too bad––when they happened.” At that point we were supposed to be at full weekend visits and a full week over a holiday. Yet, the children hadn’t spent more than 20 hours consecutively with the family member, and had to cancel more than they were able to fulfill the visit schedule. We were less than 30 days away from move day. At the end of the next week, I received a call (after 5 p.m. on a Friday) to NOT allow the children to go to their visit that weekend. “Ok” was pretty much all I managed at that point because I was taken aback by the abrupt turn. They had just stressed and emphasized the importance of the transition visits for the children, and the first weekend the family member agreed to a complete visit, we got a last second call to cancel it. “Is she ok?” “Yes, we will have more information for you on Monday.” (In my brain: “Y’ALL WORKIN THE WEEKEND OVER THIS???!??” Oh no.) Monday came and the plan for the children was now non-relative adoption, by us. The relative would not be licensed. Critical information was not divulged and from one innocuous comment I shared with the worker that the kids had shared about their visits exploded into a full investigation during the previous week. Pain, confusion, and heartbreak blanketed our whole family. We still had to go before the judge and CPS had to explain their new position. We were docketed long enough for testimonies to be given and after everything was in the open, the ruling was given and non-relative adoption was made the “official” goal. This was 2-3 weeks before Christmas, but for the most part, life, as we knew it, ambled on. Christmas day came and we went to Joe’s (my then boyfriend) parent’s house to celebrate. A couple of hours into the celebration I was beckoned to the back patio and everyone was semi-circled around a white chair. I knew. I took the seat. Standing in front of me was Michaella holding a sign that said “Will you marry our daddy?” Joe, on one knee, asked me to be his wife and I said yes. So, the engagement and adoption plan change all kind of happened at the same time. Mind you, at this point, I am still the only licensed parent. Joe, in CPS world, was a “caregiver”. So, diving into the “how’s” of what’s next, I realized we needed to get Joe licensed so he could adopt at the same time I did. So, we started there. Pretty quickly after starting him on that path, we started talking about dates for the wedding and if we should do it before or after the adoption. This is where you can queue “overwhelming stress” into my mind––and I didn’t like it. I stepped back, prayed, and just looked at a calendar. One of those good old fashioned paper ones (ha!). My eyes settled on July 4th…No biggie really––that’s Independence Day, my favorite holiday. But, as I looked at the date, every question about wedding, adoption, “How are we…?”, “How can everyone?...”, just seemed to have an answer. And, the idea for a “Family Union Day” came to be. "and the idea for a 'family union day' came to be. Then I realized that would mean Family REunions every 4th of July––my favorite holiday. The deal was sealed. I asked Joe, and of course he liked the idea, so we began to plan. We went with an “Americana Family Picnic” theme––red, white, blue, and BBQ. We stopped for a bit to say “I do” to each other and “we do” to the kids, then just enjoyed each other, and all of our family and village in one place to celebrate with us becoming a family. While this all sounds like a great ending to the story, our fostering journey does not stop here. Six weeks after our Family Union Day, we received notice of three children across the country that had been in care over a year and were needing an adoptive home. Their mother is an extended relative of mine. Many “OMG’s” later, we said yes. Our home study for them is this weekend! - Renee, mom in Austin, TX (Photos by Caitlin Mathews Photography) Click the video below to watch a recap of the Cortez Family Union Day!
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