In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, host Brian and co-host Travis welcome Greg and Valerie, a couple who have made a significant impact in the foster care community. They share their journey of becoming foster parents, the challenges and joys of raising four adopted children, and the lessons learned along the way. The conversation touches on the importance of sibling relationships, the chaos of parenting, and the resilience required in foster care. Greg and Valerie emphasize the need for compassion and understanding in their home, creating a supportive environment for both their children and the foster kids that come through their doors. In this conversation, Greg and Valerie share their journey in foster care and advocacy, emphasizing the importance of community support and engagement. They discuss their experiences with fundraising, the role of faith in fostering, and how businesses can contribute to the cause. Their insights highlight the ripple effect of advocacy and the need for more families to step up and support children in need.

Takeaways

• Valerie is the driving force in their household.
• Fostering involves taking risks for the sake of children.
• Every yes to something means a no to something else.
• Horses teach us about beauty and unpredictability, similar to parenting.
• The couple went from zero to four children in under a year.
• Chaos in a large family can lead to happiness and bonding.
• Their children learned compassion through welcoming foster kids.
• The dynamics of fostering can be complex, especially with biological children.
• It's important to remember the trauma that foster kids have experienced.
• Creating a stable environment helps foster kids feel secure. Foster care requires community support and advocacy.
• Fundraising events can significantly impact foster care initiatives.
• Corporate support is crucial for fostering awareness and funding.
• Faith communities have a unique opportunity to engage in foster care.
• Normalizing foster care can encourage more families to participate.
• Building relationships is essential for successful foster care outcomes.
• Awareness is as important as recruiting new foster families.
• Foster care impacts various societal issues, including homelessness and mental health.
• Every individual can contribute to foster care in meaningful ways.
• The journey of fostering can be rewarding despite its challenges.