Kathy says fostering and adopting have been positive influences in her life for as long as she can remember.

Her parents, who also fostered, taught her the importance of care and compassion.

“From a very young age, I learned that family can be so much more than what you biologically are given and that it really just requires an openness to love and embrace people and accept people for who they are.”

Kathy, who grew up in a family that fostered four children including her adopted brother, would go on to spend 10 years as a foster parent herself and eventually adopt all five of her children.

“I think how much of a gift it is to foster…and to have the opportunity to give them a positive experience is a privilege,” she says.

While she is no longer an active foster parent, she continues to support the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services as a Foster Care Navigator.

Navigators like Kathy work to guide prospective and current foster parents through the foster care journey. She encourages anyone who has questions to contact a Navigator.

“Just having someone to talk to that has been in that situation can be helpful,” she said.

This article was originally published by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services on January 7th, 2021. To view the original publication, click HERE.