Whether it’s reading a romantic novel, flipping through the pages of a family scrapbook or watching a breath-taking sunset, we all have something that tugs at our emotions.
Mark, an amazing foster parent who has welcomed several children into his home throughout the years, gets a little choked up over the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. “One of the kids I fostered loved that cartoon, so every time I see it, happy memories come to mind,” Mark said.
Mark has adopted three children and opened his home to others as a foster parent. While some families prefer to foster younger children, Mark has a heart for helping teens and tweens. Equal parts mentor and parent to the kids in his care, Mark stresses the importance of going to school, working hard for what they want and raising the bar for their future.
“Many of the kids I have fostered have experienced abuse or have seen the consequences drug addiction and violence can have on a family,” Mark said. “At first, it can be difficult for them to envision anything different. But when kids have someone who believes in them, they open their minds to other possibilities like a job, trade school or college.” Mark said it is at those times when he feels just as excited as the kids do!
Mark knows that the children he fosters will eventually move on to the next phase in their lives. But they always have a place in his heart. When asked to name his greatest wish for the kids he fosters, Mark said, “For them to believe in themselves and work toward their dreams.”
Right now there are hundreds of teens in Texas who need someone like Mark to provide a safe and loving home where they can learn, prepare for the future, and simply enjoy a typical high school experience. To learn more about what it is really like to foster a teenager, please complete the short inquiry form at www.upbring.org/fosterinfo and one of our knowledgeable Foster In Texas team members will be happy to answer your questions.
*Mark’s story is true, but his name and identifying information have been changed to protect the privacy of the children in his care.
If you’re interested in becoming a foster parent yourself, we’d love to hear from you! Visit Upbring.org/FosterInfo to submit our Foster Inquiry Form.