Answering the Call
A little over 3 years ago, the Alaniz family felt a nudge to become foster parents. They had no idea what following that nudge might entail, only that there was a need for foster parents who could work with children who had endured a lot in their short lives. From that very small beginning, their journey began. They’ve now been licensed for 3.5 years and have been caring for the same 4 children in their home for almost 2-1/2 years.
Their first challenge 3 years ago was simply knowing where to start. They had heard about Focus on Youth and discovered that becoming a licensed foster parent begins with pre-placement trainings. So that’s where they started, and as they learned about what foster care involved, there was no doubt God was calling them to step in and do something to help His children. The process of becoming licensed turned out to be fairly simple. The training classes were offered in nearby churches and any question or concern was easily answered or addressed by the Focus on Youth staff.
The training did a lot to prepare the Alaniz’s for becoming foster parents. Yet, as prepared as they felt, they didn’t fully understand how hard it was going to be sometimes. With the perspective that experience brings, they now believe not knowing how hard it could be was a blessing in disguise. No one is naturally well-equipped to handle the stresses and traumas of foster care, but through trial by fire, you become stronger and more compassionate, and a better advocate for the children. And if the hard stuff had scared them away from saying yes, they would have missed out on many incredibly good things they also couldn’t have imagined before they started.
For other families who may be feeling the nudge, the Alaniz’s have a few things they want you to know:
- Children need trusted people, not perfect people, to help them break the cycle of abuse and neglect.
- They need loving people to help them overcome the obstacles yet to come.
- Children need their local community to support them so a positive difference can be made in their young lives.
Community is essential for foster families too. Thanks to the trusted people in their own lives, including their families and friends, the Alaniz’s have been blessed with ongoing support and help when they have needed it. And, they are extremely grateful for their Focus on Youth worker, Marissa, for all the hard work and support she has given them. Their foster care journey isn’t over, but they have already made an undeniable and irreplaceable difference in the lives of the children who have been welcomed into their home.
