In 2020, when the world shut down and everything became uncertain, one thing weighed heavily on our hearts—children. Schools closed, which meant that for many kids, the places where they felt safe, received meals, and had caring adults watching over them were suddenly gone. We couldn’t stop thinking about the children who were already in difficult situations, now locked behind closed doors with no escape from neglect or abuse.
That thought was what pushed us to take action.
We became licensed foster parents in 2020, right in the middle of the pandemic. At first, we obtained a basic foster license, allowing us to provide a temporary, safe home for children in need. Six months later, we took things a step further and became treatment-level foster parents. This meant we were trained to care for children with higher needs—whether due to past trauma, medical concerns, or behavioral challenges. It was a big step, but one we knew was necessary to make the kind of impact we hoped for.
Our first placement was short-term, but it was a beautiful reminder of why we started this journey. The children were eventually reunited with their mother, and while saying goodbye was hard, we knew it was the best possible outcome. Reunification is always the goal when it’s safe, and in this case, it was.
Then, a few months later, in October 2021, we received a call about a premature little boy who needed a family. That placement changed everything. What started as fostering eventually led to something more—adoption. But that’s a story for another post.
Along the way, we’ve had other children come into our home, even if only for a short time. Every single one of them has left an imprint on our hearts, and while not every placement turns into a forever situation, that’s okay. Fostering isn’t about us—it’s about being a safe place for as long as a child needs.
Now, we’re waiting and wondering if we’ll be lucky enough to walk through the adoption process again. But no matter what the future holds, we’ll keep opening our doors, our hearts, and our home. Because every child deserves a place where they are safe, cared for, and loved—even if only for a little while.
The Anker Homestead 