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A Call to Foster

by Amanda Beights Amanda, her husband, and their two boys enjoying a sunny afternoon.

never intended on being a foster parent. In fact, I actually never I was immediately impressed with how many resources
I became available to us through organizations aimed at helping
intended on being a mentor either. Like most, my biggest
foster families, such as Friends of Foster Children Forever. We had
concern was that I just didn’t “have enough time.”
Over the years, however, I continued to learn about the need in access to mattresses, clothing and a free tutor for both boys.
Collier County. It seemed every year I heard Big Brothers Big Sisters Of course, our friends and family were also eager to support.
always had a deficit with mentors and that many children were on The best part? Collier County Public Schools re-routes busses to
the waiting list. If you have a heart for children, you can only hear your home. This not only helps with transportation needs, but also
that for so long before you decide you will be a part of the solution. allows children to stay at the schools they currently attend.
After a presentation from the Big Brother Big Sisters, I pulled We fostered the boys for six months, with many highs and many
over the presenter at the end and asked, “Okay, tell me the lows. After they reunited with their mother, I co-founded a coalition
commitment.” She was so excited and said “at minimum just 4 hours of agencies involved in supporting homeless children called
a month.” She also explained that I could be a “Big Couple” with my Fostering the Future Alliance. The goal is to bring organizations
husband, so we could spend our time together and help a child. together to leverage resources to increase foster families in
From there I learned, probably not surprisingly, that older boys Collier County. The need is significant. My husband and I are also
were in the greatest need of mentors. With that in mind, we agreed interested in becoming licensed foster parents so we may better
to be matched. support children and families in need.
About 2 years into our mentoring, we received a phone call that If I could share two major takeaways from our journey, it would
our mentee and his brother were removed from their home and be this: First, the goal of fostering children is always reunification
living at Youth Haven, Southwest Florida’s only emergency and with his or her parents, provided that it is in the best interest for that
residential shelter for boys and girls ages 6-18 years. child. Second: please consider getting involved as a mentor or foster
I instantly offered to house the boys until they could be reunited parent to the hundreds of children in need in Collier County—right
with their mother. My husband and I were not certified foster here in our own backyard.
parents, but because we knew the boys, we qualified for what is
called “non-relative caregivers.” Within a short period, the boys If there is any space in your heart to be more involved with our most
moved in with us. vulnerable children, please make the leap and know there are tremendous
community resources to help you along the way. For more information
please contact 1-855-933-KIDS or childnetswfl.org

98 Life in Naples | January 2020