More Than Temporary: One Foster Mom’s Journey of Love, Loss, and Hope
Every child deserves a safe place to land.
For one foster parent with The Up Center, saying “yes” to foster care started with a simple question: Could I help give another child the same opportunities I gave my own daughter?
Ms. Peters did not always picture herself becoming a foster parent. But as she learned more about the growing need for foster families, she started to wonder if she could make a difference.
“I started thinking, maybe this might be something that I can give to another child,” she shared. “Give them the same opportunity that was afforded to my child.”
Today, Ms. Peters has welcomed multiple children into her home, offering care, stability, and love during some of the most difficult moments in their lives.
Foster Care Is About Providing Safety and Stability
Children enter foster care for many reasons, often through no fault of their own. During uncertain times, foster parents provide something every child deserves: safety, consistency, and care.
For Ms. Peters, that goal has always been simple.
“Even if it was temporary… I just wanted to be a place that would be safe and they would be loved and nurtured and cared for.”
At The Up Center, foster care is centered around helping children feel safe while also supporting families in crisis. In many cases, the goal is reunification, helping children safely return home when possible.
Foster Parents Come From All Walks of Life
Many people assume they are “not the right person” to become a foster parent. They may wonder if they are too busy, too young, too old, single, or unsure if they have enough experience.
Ms. Peters wants people to know there is no perfect foster parent.
As a single mother who raised her daughter while earning both a bachelor’s and master’s degree, she felt ready to open her home to children who needed support.
“I’ve almost always been a single mom,” she said. “I’m very hands-on. Once we’re home, we read, we play, we go places.”
Foster parents come from many backgrounds. What matters most is having patience, stability, and a willingness to care for a child during a difficult chapter in their life.
Watching Children Grow Is the Greatest Reward
Foster care can be challenging, but it can also be deeply rewarding.
For Ms. Peters, one of the most meaningful parts has been seeing children grow and thrive, even during short stays.
“Just to see growth,” she said. “Even if I’ve only had them for a short amount of time, they’re talking more, they’re more active.”
Sometimes, small moments can mean everything. A child feeling safe enough to speak more, laugh more, or simply be themselves can be a sign of healing.
The Hardest Part: Saying Goodbye
One of the biggest misconceptions about foster care is that it is easy to say goodbye.
The truth is, foster parents build real connections with the children in their care.
“Your heart is going to be with that child for a very, very long time,” Ms. Peters said. “Whether they’re still in your home or not.”
She admits reunification can be difficult emotionally, but she also understands why it matters.
“I prepare myself knowing that’s always the goal,” she shared.
At The Up Center, reunification is often the number one goal. Foster parents play an important role by providing a safe, supportive environment while biological parents or relatives work toward stability.
That support can change a child’s future, even if the time together is temporary.
No Foster Parent Does It Alone
Ms. Peters says having support from The Up Center team has made a meaningful difference in her journey as a foster parent. She described having someone responsive and dependable to turn to when challenges came up, helping make the experience successful for both her and the children in her care.
At The Up Center, foster families receive training, guidance, and ongoing support because caring for children who have experienced trauma is important work, and no family should feel like they have to navigate it alone.
Celebrating Foster Families During Foster Care Awareness Month
During Foster Care Awareness Month, The Up Center recently celebrated foster families at an appreciation event at Trex Playland, recognizing the care, patience, and commitment foster parents bring to children every day.
Foster families often step in during some of the hardest moments in a child’s life, providing safety, stability, and support while families work toward reunification. Events like these are a chance to celebrate the meaningful role foster parents play and thank them for opening their homes and hearts.
Ms. Peters was one of the foster parents recognized at the event, representing the compassion and dedication shown by so many families across our region.
Thinking About Becoming a Foster Parent?
If someone is considering foster care but feels unsure, Ms. Peters offers honest advice:
“There are going to be some good days, and there are going to be some not-so-good days. But the key thing is to just be patient.”
And for those who feel called to help?
“If you have the heart and the passion, I would strongly encourage you because there are lots of children that need help.”
Every child deserves someone willing to say yes.
Through foster care, families can provide stability, care, and hope during a child’s most difficult moments, helping them feel safe while families work toward healing and reunification.
Interested in learning more about foster care with The Up Center? Visit The Up Center Foster Care Program or explore ways you can support children and families in our community.
