Foster Change, Foster Success

By Robyn Harvey

Table with QUESTIONABLE The Game cards and flowers.

Walking into the room on Saturday, May 20th, there was excitement in the air. It was a feeling of guarded optimism. Tables had been set with beautiful flowers and a presentation of statements of appreciation from youth in care in Illinois to the people who had shown them care over the years. This event was meant to honor, acknowledge, and celebrate foster parents, and an opportunity to promote camaraderie amongst Youth in Care and Foster Parents.                                                                                                                                           

“Foster Change, Foster Success” was planned by the Illinois Statewide Youth Advisory Board and supported by the Statewide Foster Care Advisory Council and Be Strong Families YAB (Youth Advisory Board) team. The Statewide Youth Advisory Board (SYAB) worked to address their top priority initiative of permanency. The regional and statewide boards spent time compiling a list of barriers and practical solutions to permanency-related concerns. It was concluded by SYAB that in general, a lack of foster homes is the most widespread issue affecting youth in care. Furthermore, it is the board’s discernment that foster parents are reluctant to take in older youth due to the negative perception of teenagers, which SYAB has identified as a systemic issue.  

From the decorations to the objectives, the youth voice was evident. Each foster parent received a “Foster Change, Foster Success” T-shirt, tote bag, and delicious lunch. Raffle prizes were award and activities designed to help the foster parents and youth in attendance get to know each other and start to remove the stigma of each group.     

This event touched me deeply for a few reasons. As a former foster parent, I know how important it is to feel appreciated. Fostering (done right) is a selfless act – nothing is about you. You make it about the kids, their families, and the system. It was heartwarming to know that this group wanted to show their gratitude and appreciation. Second, my husband and I fostered this age group, and it took me back to a time I remember fondly. To see teens and foster parents taking the time to really talk to each other at the tables warmed my heart. I learned so much from just the 30-minute get-to-know-you activity. This built bridges and removed inaccurate perceptions. The YAB team took the time to guide the young people and worked with a group of teenagers to produce where each group felt uplifted and more understood. The surprise for me and a great treat came when Robert Gonzalez-Hammond, a foster/ adoptive parent whom I trained in Foster Parenting Class, and his son spoke during the luncheon on second chances and allowing both people in the relationship to fully be themselves – flaws and all.

Robyn Harvey and Robert Gonzalez-Hammond, who with his husband foster and adopted 6 children and reside in Central Illinois.

Tiffany Murphy at the YAB table