Fall 2009 eNewsletter

A foster family's story... by Kathleen O'Brien

Fox Island residents Colleen and Mark Bond have been foster parents for three years. During that time, they've 'parented' 14 children, in addition to raising two of their own. The Bonds' interest in becoming foster parents was initially peaked after Mark read an article in a magazine while in a doctor's waiting room. "It's always been important to us to help out kids and we want our kids to understand how blessed they are and the importance of helping those who are less fortunate. We decided that becoming a foster family would be a good way to live this out. It did not take long for us to realize that the need for foster homes was, and still is, enormous," explained Colleen.

Once the Bonds decided to become foster parents, they contacted CCS and began the long qualifying process. They liked the fact that CCS was faith-based and its emphasis was on family preservation (re-uniting families). They were told that most of the children who would be placed in foster care would stay with them for approximately three to nine months. Colleen liked that idea and expanded, "We wanted to provide a stable home for children in transition and, since we had decided not to adopt, the 'short term' placement was appealing."

While their first placement was challenging, it was very rewarding and Colleen knew they'd made the right decision. "Children in the foster system don't have anywhere to go. It was a good feeling knowing we were helping," Colleen said.

One of the issues that Colleen has seen over the years is that many children 'wander' from foster home to foster home until eventually they age out. Her concern evident, she told me "moving from home to home destroys them. It would be so much better if they had a home to call their own in one place and one school system."

This is one of the goals that the Homestead at Alder Cove hopes to attain: one place these children can always call home. Though the state's ultimate plan is for these children to be adopted, Colleen believes it is unrealistic and that the Homestead is the best alternative for those kids who are legally free and waiting on adoption registries. "If we are able to catch kids at a younger age and place them at Homestead, it would be a much more positive experience."

Not only would the Homestead provide a better experience for long-term foster children, but Colleen believes that the Homestead would save a substantial amount of money for the state and agencies working with these children. "There would be more economies of scale and a centralization of services. Instead of transporting kids to service providers, out-of-district schools and therapy sessions, the Homestead would bring services to the children and provide on-sight office and meeting space for therapists, advocates and case workers, to meet with the children."

Colleen has joined the Homestead Board of Directors to help put her passion for these children into action. "While we're so happy to be fulfilling our original mission-to help foster kids and families reunite-we know the Homestead at Alder Cove would bring joy to so many children who don't have a place to call home."

As the Bond family has done, we encourage each of you to also get involved and do what you can to help us reach our goal of breaking ground in 2010 by: