Carol V., a foster parent in the Bronx for 27 years, describes why she opened her home to children in need. A foster child thanked her at graduation. She credits Catholic Guardian Services and a worker named Ms. Barnes for the support that made it possible.
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Hi, my name is Carol. I live in the Bronx. I've been living on the concourse for the past 27 years. What motivated me to become a foster parent was seeing the results at the end and just knowing that I made a difference in a child's life. My first foster child, when I went to her graduation, and when she walked across that stage and got her diploma and she turned around and thanked me, that was my most rewarding moment. And even now, you know, you have to come into this with an open heart and an open mind, and you have to be willing to have patience. You have to be willing to make sacrifices. You have to be willing to get up in the middle of the night and hold a child if they're going through stress or anything. You just have to have love in your heart for them. So coming into being a foster parent, I had to learn all of that as well. Catholic guardians supported me very well. When I first started, I knew nothing. They helped me to understand and to read the history of Catholic guardian, to know what they were all about before I made a total commitment to this. I remember Ms. Barnes was the first worker that I had, and she went step by step with me. Whenever I called one of these social workers, they're there. If I needed an answer, they were there. As far as me being a foster parent, I love it. I really love it. If I didn't love it, I wouldn't be doing it. I know these girls. I'm not gonna say inside and out, but I know they want better that much I know. And if I could just get in there and just get a little bit through to them to make them know they are worthy, then I'm good, and I have done my job.
