Welcome to the foster family story project. Here you will find stories of amazing foster families. CHAMPS is proud to feature these families and we invite you to join in saying #ThanksFosterFamilies for all they do to help children and families. These stories are shareable through Facebook and Twitter.

Submit a story about a foster family you know by completing this short, easy-to-use form.

For more information about CHAMPS, please visit our main website at fosteringchamps.org

The Davis Family, Philadelphia

The Davis Family, Philadelphia

Legacy and inheritance. Upon the passing of my former foster parents they left my foster brothers, my biological sister, and myself the home that we grew up in with them. Their names and reputation are known in my community: Margaret Davis and Willie Dargon, respectively. Mostly, we are referred to as the Davis Family.

The Cottrells in Illinois

The Cottrells in Illinois

The Cottrells have been an inspiration to foster families and myself in the Northern Illinois region. They have worked along side the birth family and been the biggest cheerleaders for mom's successes and have been right at her side in moments of stress. Their willingness to work with the biological family has allowed for court goals to move more quickly and the youth to get time with their mom much more than a normal case. Additionally they have continued to support other foster parents, as foster parent mentors and are actively involved with legislative conversations regarding child welfare reform.

The Pineda Gang in Douglassville, Pennsylvania

The Pineda Gang in Douglassville, Pennsylvania

We've been fostering for 20 years and we've had over 40 children in our home. We are currently in the process of adopting a sibling set of 5. In total, we have 15 children (birth, adopted and foster).

The Askins Family, Pennsylvania

The Askins Family, Pennsylvania

Foster parenting taught me that reunification doesn't have to be the end of the relationship between you and the birth family. However, this requires working honestly, respectfully and non-judgmentally with the birth family right from the beginning. I was completely devastated when faced with the fact that my foster daughter was leaving my home after nearly 4 years. But the real gift came when her family honored the bond that was formed with me and my family by allowing us to spend as much time with her as we like -- weekends, vacations, birthdays, etc. Our families have done things together as well. It takes an open mind and heart.

The Beasleys in Illinois

The Beasleys in Illinois

The Beasleys completed 5 adoptions in the last 20 months and have continued relationships with their children's biological cousins and family. They have always ensured their kids were connected with their family, and have done a great job getting the kids involved with a tremendous amount of activities. Additionally the Beasleys have met with the governor to advocate for foster care reform, mentored dozens of new foster parents, and provided a loving and caring home for over 11 kids.

Party of 9 Flits Foster

I love being a foster parent because it has taught me to love deep, to love the unlovable, and to really have a heart for the birth families and kiddos. We love to build relationships that last even when the kids go home.

Social Worker Praises Foster Parents, Ted and Carolyn in North Dakota

My foster parents have, completely on their own, developed a solid relationship with the biological mother of their foster child. They have transported him to weekend visits, provided emotional support and encouragement to bio mom, have helped her understand the rules and structure of their home so she could reproduce this at her home, were comfortable from the start in having her attend some of the extra curricular activities her son was involved in, helped establish daycare for when he returns home. They have shown the biological mom so much support and encouragement and mom trusts and appreciates what they have done for her son.

Foster Mom in North Carolina

Foster Mom in North Carolina

It was early in my experience of being a foster parent. I had a 5 year old boy for the weekend. He had been dropped off at my office, since I was still at work. He played there for a while and we soon left for the evening. We got in the car and I asked him where he would like to eat. He simply replied he would like some pizza. I said ok, pizza it is. A few minutes of silence passed then suddenly I hear from the back, "You make my heart feel good!" As you can imagine, I melted. That memory is forever planted in my heart.