As National Adoption Day on November 17 approaches, individuals like Aaron and Matt from Pompano Beach have other plans for helping children: They are foster parents. ?We became foster parents with the hope of adopting one day, and it has turned out that pursuing foster care instead has blessed us tremendously,? says Aaron.
Aaron and Matt became licensed foster parents with the National Youth Advocate Program (NYAP) in August 2010. Since then, they have helped 16 children, including kids in respite (short term) care. Currently, they are taking care of three youths: A sibling group of two boys ages 3 and 5, and a 16 year old. All three children have their individual stories, but all are stories of abandonment and neglect.
Their 16 year old foster son came into the care of the Department of Children and Families as a result of coming out as gay to his parents. Unable to support their biological child?s sexual orientation, they decided that the best place for him would be a shelter. Coincidentally, when Aaron and Matt learned about him, they were not very interested in working with teens. They wanted to focus on fostering younger children, but as soon as they had the opportunity to spend time with him, they knew he belonged in their home, where he would receive all the love, compassion and trust he deserves.
Aaron and Matt report that helping children through foster care has had dramatic effects on their lives. ?It?s more natural than you think it would be, and more comforting than you would ever imagine,? explains Matt. ?Feeling the joy when you pick them up from school and seeing them grow and appreciate the smallest things brings us so much satisfaction.?
Taking care of the younger sibling group has had some challenges, as well, including behavioral and adjustment issues, but according to Matt, ?Once they understand they?re safe in our home and loved, these behaviors tend to dissipate. Especially our 16 year old son?he?s more confident in himself now, and more social. When he came here he hardly talked, now he?s got a social life and is comfortable in his own skin.?
Aaron was asked, ?What would you say to someone who is considering becoming a foster parent?? His 16 year old foster son answered for him, ?It?s great to be a foster parent because you?re helping children who are in need, and you get to show them love. I love my foster parents. They?re my family.?
For more information on becoming a foster parent, please contact the National Youth Advocate Program (NYAP) at (954) 596-5284, or visit our website at nyap.org.
Candelaria Mota is a Foster Home Recruiter for the National Youth Advocate Program (NYAP), one of the top foster home licensing agencies in Broward County. She works with interested, loving families within the LGBT community.
Source: http://floridaagenda.com/2012/11/14/foster-kids-need-loving-foster-homes-gay-and-straight/
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