Beech Tree News Network

Last night I had the privilege of speaking to a group of women, who were paying a great price for some of the decisions that had made in their lives.  The women were in various stages of their recovery and I had come to their weekly meeting to talk about parenting classes that are offered at the Family Enrichment Center. 

The group leader also wanted me to talk with the women about being a foster and adoptive parent.  I would be lying if I said that the women were excited to talk to me about foster care.  I could tell by the expression on their faces that most of the women in the room had dealt with social services on some level and that chances were some of them had had their children removed from their care; some may have even lost custody of their children.  There was a time when I would have been quick to judge these women as unfit mothers because of their addictions. 

Fortunately, for me, while sitting on a foster parent panel one night, I had the privilege of meeting a birth mother who shared her story of how her addiction had caused her to make choices that eventually led to the termination of her parental rights to her child.  What I learned from her is that we all are one step away from being one of “those” people.  None of us are without fault and we have all done things in our life that bring us shame.  The only difference between “us” and “them” is that “we” didn’t cross the proverbial line that could have led us down a path of destruction.

The goal of the cabinet is to reunify parents with their children.  When I help teach the MAPP classes, I try to emphasize to potential foster parents that they are here to give, not to receive; that their purpose is to help a child in need and not to pass judgment or sabotage the birth parent who is hopefully working hard to be reunited with their child.  I also want the potential families to know that things are not always what they seem; just because a birth parent made a bad choice doesn’t make them a bad person.  It is their duty as a foster parent to build the family up, not tear them apart.  If they can’t be a part of the solution, then they don’t be a part of the problem.

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About Jastin:  Say hello to Jastin (11/97)! Jastin is handsome young man who has a lot going for him, but he needs the one thing most important to any child – a permanent loving family. With his Justin Bieber style hair cut and his sweet smile, Jastin looks like any other 14-year-old boy. He likes to read, to play sports, and he is very interested in animals. He even talks about becoming a veterinarian when he grows up. Jastin is an intelligent child who excels in school. He is a delight to talk to! Jastin has a history of being hurt, both physically and emotionally, by others and it is still difficult for him to open up about the past; but during the times he does begin to open up, it is apparent that he is a very hurt and vulnerable young boy, who just wants someone to care for him. Jastin would like a 2-parent home, preferably with no other children. He prefers a family who likes animals, especially cats, and would like to live in the Owensboro, KY area. Although he talks about his preferences, Jastin’s number one requirement of a forever family is a family full of people that care about him and want what is best for him. Jastin has made great strides in his life. There is no saying how far he can go with consistency, love, and stability. You could be the home that offers all of that to him.

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C. Denise Lambrianou is the Program Coordinator for Family Enrichment Center-Adoption Resource Program, which is funded in part by a grant from the Cabinet of Health and Family Services, Department of Protection and Permanency and Wendy’s of Bowling Green.  If you would like information about becoming a foster or adoptive family, or you would like to inquire about a featured child, please call (270) 781-6714 x 3 or (866) 842-9032 x 3.