Eddie and Linda Brown completed their seven weeks of training and were certified as foster parents in February 2009.  They recalled seeing the newspaper ad calling for foster parents several times before they finally responded; now they wish they’d done it sooner.

The Browns’ two main motives for wanting to be foster parents were to help children who need a loving, nurturing and caring home and because they were unable to have children of their own. They see fostering as a great way to make a difference in the lives of children. Although the certification process was not the easiest thing she has done. Linda says it was well worth it. The training classes were informative and covered a lot of material the Browns have needed as they foster children.

Things are going well for the Browns as they’ve been helping their first foster child. "Don't be swayed by the extensive history some of these kids have,” they say. “The kids need help. They need you! Don't let someone else stop you from being a foster parent, come to the trainings, take a child or two or three and make the choice for yourself. It may be the most rewarding thing you ever do."