Profiles of a Foster Family #2 - Connecticut Foster Care & Adoption

Profiles of a Foster Family ? James and Jimmie

Have you sometimes met someone and instantly wished they were your surrogate parents or grandparents because of the obvious loving and calm character they had. Well, this interviewer did meet such a couple and amazingly enough ? this couple decided to use their love to pour into foster children.

James and Jimmie have been doing foster care for 25 years. Their kids had all grown up, but they felt as if they had been given so much love by God that they wanted to give it to those who needed it most. So, they did.

James and Jimmie initially started this journey with a different agency than CRI where they had one child at first and then another. They raised them like their own from age 8 to the end of high school. Now one is in college to be a lawyer and the other is married with 3 children. They are still in close contact. Who wouldn?t want to stay in contact with a mom and day that desires to make kids happy and fulfill their dreams?

After those two kids, Jimmie and James took at break. Jimmie wanted to re-evaluate why she and her husband did what they did. She shared on the importance of being completely dedicated to this work. Luckily for the kids in foster care, they decided to continue. At this time, they switched agencies to CRI. Since they had been in foster care for so long, they knew what they were getting into, what to expect and how to measure what CRI had to offer. Jimmie expressed that she observed the staff as ?professional, friendly, open-hearted, caring, and interested in how we feel as the foster parents. It went beyond the class. We were all part of the team. They try to make good matches of children to families and make sure that connections are good.?

In 3 years, Jimmie says her initial evaluation has proven true. They have had a couple of struggles during those times and their workers have checked in to see how they were doing, not just the child. She hears from her social worker 1-2x a week and if he isn?t available when she needs him, there is always another worker. If they have a need, CRI tries to meet it. They are so happy with CRI that they have referred others to them. ?They are still training me. Every month something is different and they stay working with me,? Jimmie shares.

When asked what Jimmie would share with prospective foster parents, Jimmie suggests, ?Just because a child has a bad background with another family, it doesn?t mean it will be with me. Remember that whatever they have been through was not their fault. If a child is struggling with behavior or school, it doesn?t mean they can?t overcome it. No one should ever be in for it for the money. It is hard work and we have to be committed for the right reasons. I cannot take the place of a child?s mama or daddy, but I can do so much to make their life better and give them a chance.?

?Nuf said?and once again?where is the sign up list to be the surrogate child to this family?

Source: http://www.ctfostercareadoption.com/2012/11/profiles-of-a-foster-family-2/

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