Sherri and Mark were foster parents with Beech Acres Parenting Center for five years. During that time, they adopted three of their children. They had been considering adoption but were unsure what they wanted to do.

Sherri and Mark heard the stories about a tremendous need for foster parents and that so many kids needed a safe and loving home.

One day they saw a sign outside Beech Acres saying, “We Need Foster Parents.” So they called, registered, and began taking classes. “Once we started down that road we just kept going!” Sherri said.

The primary goal for children in foster care is always reunification with their biological family, but when that is not possible, loving families like the Eppleys are needed to care for and adopt these children. Mark and Sherri were willing to adopt the children if they needed a permanent home.

“It’s been life-changing. We’ve learned so much along the way,” Sherri said. “I think we became better parents through all the help we received through Beech Acres.”

On any given day in Ohio, around 16,000 children are being cared for away from their parents. These children need safe and loving families willing to open their hearts and homes to these precious children. Loving families like Sherri and Mark.

“If foster care is something you’ve been thinking about for a while, just reach out, get your questions answered, learn as much as you can and see if it’s something that is a good fit for you. There are so many ways you can get involved to help those children.”