With the school year just underway, Adrienne, a 36 year educational assistant and librarian, is already managing three different classrooms. She is also starting a program called “Roots of Empathy,” where babies are brought in to help students learn. Adrienne’s motivation for fostering isn’t driven by the challenges, but by the myriad of positive outcomes it brings.
Adrienne’s home is a hive of activity, filled with numerous foster children, adopted kids, and a couple of older biological children visiting from time to time, reflecting a wide range of diversity. Recently, Adrienne faced the challenge of undergoing several surgeries, necessitating the organization of drivers and a support network for daycare drop-offs and caregiving, which took a toll on her and the household. Despite the strain, her commitment remains unwavering. Friends frequently inquire about her retirement plans, but her daughter always laughs, assuring them that Adrienne will retire only when she’s dead.
- Adrienne
Adrienne’s introduction to fostering began years ago while working in the inner city, where the needs were substantial. Amidst a surge of newcomers, she encountered a struggling Sudanese mother whose plight was obscured by a language barrier. Moved by their situation, Adrienne took it upon herself to bridge the communication gap. The mother’s children eventually confided in Adrienne, revealing their stress, and they became her first foster children. At the time, Adrienne’s biological daughter was eight, and she welcomed three older girls into her home. For Adrienne, the transition was both challenging and rewarding, as she strove to create a nurturing environment for all the children under her care. After five months, safety concerns necessitated their relocation to another foster arrangement as they were too close to the biological home. The void left by their departure was palpable, a testament to the deep bonds formed in those few months. As a single parent to a 9-year-old daughter and a 19-year-old son, Adrienne found it a natural progression to continue fostering, driven by a profound sense of purpose. Her initial experience had unlocked a calling she could not ignore, setting her on a path to impact many more lives.
Adrienne’s nurturing skills were honed naturally, being the 10th of 12 siblings in a large, tight-knit family. Raised by a single mother who managed a disciplined household, Adrienne witnessed a seamless choreography where one group of six children was out the door before the other six even woke up. Her upbringing was filled with an abundance of people, love, and laughter. Growing up surrounded by children fostered a lifelong passion for caring for kids, a love she continues to extend to her foster family today.
Adrienne encourages anyone curious about fostering to spend a day with her. She frequently invites people to join her on outings, such as trips to the park, to experience it firsthand. While fostering can be exhausting and overwhelming, Adrienne believes that many will be captivated by the joy and fun it brings.
Adrienne draws her strength from her mother, a figure of unwavering love and warmth. When Adrienne was 21, her sister passed away, leaving behind four children who were seamlessly integrated into their family. Though never officially a foster mom, Adrienne’s mother raised nieces, nephews, grandchildren, her 12 children, and any neighborhood child in need of compassionate support. She embodied the essence of welcome and care, setting a profound example that continues to inspire Adrienne in her fostering journey.
