With today being Valentine’s Day, and heading into a long weekend with Family Day, it seems appropriate to share a second story on Love – the love that caregivers provide a child, and in turn that child takes that love with them when they leave, helping them have healthy connections.
In this blog series, we invite you to journey into the heart of our local foster and kinship caregiving community. These are real stories from extraordinary people who have opened their homes and hearts to children in need. In each story, we’ll share a new narrative, shining a light on the challenges, triumphs, and quiet moments of connection that define their experiences.
To honor the privacy of those involved, all names and identifying details have been changed, but the authenticity and spirit of these stories remain intact.
Join us as we celebrate the caregivers in our community and the profound difference they make every day. Let these stories inspire you, move you, and deepen your understanding of the vital role foster and kinship caregivers play in building stronger communities.
Let’s explore love, hope, healing, and care—one story at a time.
Fostering Love and Letting Go
Brianna went into a foster home at birth as her mom and dad were unable to care for her. While next steps were being determined, she was moved to a first-time foster couple, the Hendersons. Having never had kids of their own, an infant was definitely a new experience for them! They embraced it all with gusto (and plenty of coffee), as new parents do.
One year into their journey as a thriving foster family, Covid shut the world down, but Brianna was secure with care and love as she grew into a toddler during the pandemic.
During her time in care, Brianna had as much contact with her extended family members as was possible – keeping their culture and connection in her life.
When she was just over three years old, Brianna moved to her permanent kinship placement. Having thrived in her foster home through her first years of life, she now had permanency with a loving relative.
The Hendersons were very sorry to see Brianna go, and she took a piece of their hearts with her – but they knew that the life and love she had received from them had helped prepare her for transition to a kinship family member’s ongoing love and care.
