Foster Parent Stories
Jackie’s Story
My name is Jackie Cullers and I am a single mom of 9 children. In 1999, I went through a divorce. I became a single mom with three children and was working a full time job. Becoming a foster parent was on my mind a lot because of my love for children and my heart for helping others. After contemplating for 5 years, I decided to fill out the paper work to become a foster parent and my home was approved. As a foster parent you can have up to 6 children in your home at a time, as long as you have space for them. When I signed up I told them I wanted to try one child to see how it went since I already had three biological children in my home. I was approved on October 30th, 2006. The very next day I got a phone call at work stating they had three precious little children that needed placed. I had only asked for one child, but I thought long and hard for about a minute and I said, “I’ll give it a try.” I knew it was going to take a lot of hard work and dedication to give these kids, plus my own, the attention and guidance they needed. I kept thinking, “How can I take care of them all?” But by the grace of God and His faithfulness they have been such a blessing to my family. I adopted all 3 children in 2006.
Well, on August 24th, 2011 another child was born to the same family, which meant this little boy was a full sibling to my children. Without hesitation I left work, picked him up from the DHHR and adopted him 6 months later. Then in 2012, I received a call from Burlington about 2 teenage girls that needed placement. They told me it would only be for two weeks and then they would find other placement for them. Well, I am happy to say the girls have stayed with me and they have brought so much love and joy to my family. I recently had to break down and buy a 12-passenger van! This was such a blessing since it allowed us all to go in the same vehicle at the same time.
With each child, you will learn their needs and be able help them to feel safe and secure in your home. For most of them, it’s a feeling that they have never felt before. Being a foster parent is not easy. It takes lots of love, patience, kindness and hard work but seeing the kids smile for the first time is priceless.
Becoming a Foster Parent doesn’t cost you anything but your time. Don’t hesitate! Submit your application today and be someone’s “HERO”.
The Allnutt’s
Foster care has been a long journey for us. We started about 10 years ago and have had about 22 kids pass through counting respite and the ones we have adopted. We have 6 out of the 22 who will bear our last name and be our forever children. The other 18 are children’s lives who we hope we have touched in some way. As hard as that sounds to see children come and go in your home and may never see them again, you know you loved them, provided for there needs and most important made them feel safe. This has been a rewarding and yet the most challenging adventure we have ever had. Sometimes “the kid who needs the most love will ask for it in the most unloving way!” This is a quote I read somewhere and it’s so true when applied to foster kids. They have been hurt so much they don’t know how to act. However, it’s really cool to see them in time change due to their needs being met and finally feeling safe. Foster care is like no other journey I know. It takes a village to raise a child. Do not be afraid to reach out and ask for help. Come join the foster care team and change a life or two for future generations. You never know you may even be lucky enough to be able to adopt and call them your own. However, if they do go back home, you played an important role by providing a safe and loving home no matter how temporary it seems. That seed is planted and you helped that child in more ways than we will ever know.
Interested in Becoming a Foster Parent?
If you are interested in becoming a foster parent, please click the button to fill out an application. WV residents only please.