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When Shannon and her husband first decided to become foster parents, they wanted to give their 11-year-old son a sibling. However, their journey quickly took unexpected turns that went beyond their plans.

What was supposed to be an “easy” route to adoption turned out to be complicated. Over four years, Shannon’s family welcomed a dozen children into their home for both short-term and long-term stays. 

Over time, they realized their role was to support reuniting children with their parents. “We want to be a resource for both the child and their parents, and successful reunification,” says Shannon. “The last thing we want is for them to be introduced into more trauma or disruption.”

Eventually, Shannon and her family adopted their 3-year-old daughter Rose. Having cared for Rose since she was just 5 days old, they were thrilled to make her a permanent part of their family. However, Shannon admits their journey had many challenges. “Even though adoption is great for us and Rose, we know it's still trauma,” says Shannon. “Adoption is hard for everyone involved.”

“Even though adoption is great for us and Rose, we know it's still trauma. Adoption is hard for everyone involved.”

Despite the challenges, this experience has shaped their family's values around maintaining biological ties. They have an open relationship with Rose's birth mom, siblings, and grandparents and support Rose bonding with her roots. “We feel kids should have access to as many safe adults that love them as possible,” says Shannon. “It's really important for us to keep those relationships for Rose.”

“We feel kids should have access to as many safe adults that love them as possible.”

Throughout their fostering experience, Foster Village became Shannon's family's supportive community. Foster Village provides the family with practical support like Welcome Packs for children arriving to foster care with only the clothes on their backs. 

The Foster Village community also offers a rare feeling of belonging and respite for their family. “There's just a shorthand when we're with other foster families,” Shannon says. “For us, it's nice to see the same families over and over again. We created our own support system.”

“There's just a shorthand when we're with other foster families. For us, it's nice to see the same families over and over again.”

The sense of belonging extends to their children, too. Shannon’s 11-year-old son enjoys the Caregiver Night Out events. “He loves those because he doesn't have to explain the way we live,” says Shannon. “And our 3-year-old loves them as well. She’s very social.”

“Foster Village offers the resources we needed in the early years and didn't have. It has made fostering much easier for our family.”

➡️ Help be the village for caregiving families like Shannon's right here in Northeast Kansas. Join Foster Village's monthly giving program.