Foster Family Spotlight: Meet the Terrys
For National Foster Care Month, Project Belong wants to say thank you to our local foster families in the Northern region of Virginia.
The work of foster families is important.
By providing a safe, loving home to children in need, foster families give struggling families a chance to work out the difficulties preventing them from being able to meet their children’s needs. Every child deserves safe and stable place to land. Families like the Terrys have done just that, having had about 20 placements, including respite, in their home. The children in their home have ranged from 8 months old to 18 years old!
What inspired you to become foster parents?
I became aware of foster care when I was growing up and my neighbor fostered and later adopted a baby that we all fell in love with. I knew then that it was something that I wanted to do.
How has fostering changed you and your family?
We've learned a lot from the youth that have been in our home. Becoming aware of different cultures and life events have helped everyone in my family be more compassionate and appreciative of what we have.
What resources or support systems have been most valuable to you in your fostering journey?
The family support group and training is very helpful; however, the greatest support we have at the moment is the agency’s assistance in transporting the kids to appointments.
What would you say to someone considering becoming a foster parent?
Just try it; go for it. The feeling you get knowing that you are helping to provide a safe living space for someone that cannot take care of themselves is unspeakable. You may not get the "thank you" from the youth, but just know you are planting positive seeds that will help the kids grow into stable adults.
Thank you to the Terrys for allowing us to share your story!