Tracey and Dale Rushing had been wanting to reach out to troubled children since the couple first met more than 20 years ago.

At the time, the young couple thought about being house parents for their church's orphanage. But then, they decided to raise their own family first. A couple of years ago, with their two children, Zachary and Chelsea, grown, the couple finally realized their vision of helping children. They became Youth Villages foster parents. 

As a Youth Villages treatment foster family, the Rushings parent children who can no longer remain with their birth families. They help children learn to trust adults, work with them on their particular issues and do all the family things they used to do with their biological children. So far, the Rushings have fostered four children. They are currently foster parents to two boys ages 11 and 14.

The couple says they enjoy the close contact with their foster children and the chance to offer them a stable family life.

"Seeing them together as a family, you can tell the Rushings really enjoy spending time with the boys, and the boys in turn respond very well to their foster parents," says Jessica Burgess, foster parent recruiter, Youth Villages. "All children need and deserve parents like the Rushings to learn what a family can be like and to develop trusting relationships.  What they offer their children is invaluable... unconditional love and support."

A lifelong love for children motivated Frank and Pat Gill to become Youth Villages foster parents after their own nine children were grown and left the house. Thirteen years later they are still fostering children in need of loving homes.

Click here to continue reading.

Congratulations to Rachel Leanne, Lovella, Tiffany and Kayla for making the honor rolls at their schools. Your families and the Youth Villages staff are proud of you for your outstanding academic achievements!

Send news about your child and family to Jennifer Gonzales for placement on the Youth Villages Web site.