Foster Parents for the Love of Kids

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. 

"I did not want an empty nest," Mrs. Gill says. "When you've had a busy family, you are just so used to having children around."

Youth Villages foster parents provide temporary homes to children who cannot remain with their families because of abuse, neglect or other family problems. Foster parents receive in-depth training on helping emotionally and behaviorally troubled children and 24-hour assistance as well as a stipend to help offset the cost of caring for a child in their home. The Gills have fostered four Youth Villages children over the course of 13 years.

Their first child, Marie, stayed with them from age 9 to age 13.

"Marie was very difficult at first," Mrs. Gill says. "Many of her frustrations came from being 9 years old and being unable to read and write. Three years later, she was stable. It was very rewarding."

Their second child, Brian, also lived with them for four years until his 17th birthday. Even after the two had left the Gills, they never lost the support of their foster parents. Grown, with kids of their own, they continue to stay in close touch with the Gills.

"We get phone calls and visits," Mrs. Gill says.

Mr. Gill, a pastor, and his wife, a stay-at-home mom, currently are foster parents to two young people, Carlos, 17, a junior in high school, and a 12-year-old boy. Carlos, who has been with the Gills for four years already, has become just like another of the Gills' children.

Being parents to children from troubled homes often can be difficult, especially when the children are new to their foster homes. The Gills have counted on crucial support from Youth Villages when times got tough.

"Youth Villages staff would come out to see us any time -- even weekends. They are so supportive," Mrs. Gill says.

For the Gills, there is nothing better than raising children.

"Watching the children change and become stable is rewarding," Mrs. Gill says. "Foster children come from such unstable homes, with so much baggage. You don't gain their love very quickly. It takes a long time to gain their love and trust. But when you do, it is worth all of it."