Colorado Governor Jared Polis and Minna Castillo Cohen, director of the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) Office of Children, Youth and Families (OCYF), recently recognized five foster families from across Colorado for their dedication to Colorado's children and teens in foster care. Meet Tom and Teres Bever, one of the five families to receive this recognition.
Tom and Teresa are like many Colorado families – they love to stay active outside. After marrying five years ago, the couple decided they wanted to make a difference for kids in their community so they became foster parents. Now, Tom, Teresa and her three sons from a previous relationship spend their weekends skiing and mountain biking with the children for whom they provide a temporary safe home. "Seeing young people learn a new skill, face a fear or try something they've never done before is one of the best parts of fostering," shared Teresa. Although it's fun, Tom and Teresa know it's temporary. They try to develop a co-parenting relationship with the children's biological parents to support reunification and stability for the young people in their home.