By: Brooke Rouse, Social Media and Marketing Manager at Beech Acres Parenting Center 

Early in their relationship, partners Shannon and Jenn discussed building a family together. They discovered that they were both open to loving and supporting a child. When they also considered that they were both civically active and searching for ways to improve their community, they realized that foster parenting could be perfect for them. And what a treasured experience it has been for the couple.   

When Shannon and Jenn moved into their new home, they found that they were now living close to a residential home for teenage boys. Often, some of the boys would walk across the street and speak with them, offering to do outdoor chores or asking for advice. “It felt like the invitation we needed to give fostering a go,” the couple reminisced. It was then that they came to Beech Acres Parenting Center (BAPC) to become licensed foster parents. Shortly after, the call for a placement came. The couple first welcomed a baby boy, who was later adopted by a family and reunited with his biological siblings. “It was such an intimate and beautiful shared experience – raising a child together.”  

The decision to foster has not been without its emotional moments. Shannon and Jenn are passionate advocates for reunification and approach it with the mindset of expanding a loving community for their foster child. Their second foster child, a baby boy full of joy and energy, was another example of how fostering can be both rewarding and bittersweet. “At its heart, fostering is about supporting the biological family and giving them the time they need to succeed.”  

The couple recalls a particularly emotional moment when they had to say goodbye to their second foster son at Thanksgiving. Though happy for the biological family, Shannon and Jenn mourned the loving routine they had built with him. “We will stay in touch,” the biological mother reassured them. A few months later, they received a fun photo of their foster son enjoying his birthday party. He attends events with Shannon and Jenn and spends occasional weekends with them. “Fostering gifts you with an expanded community of love. It is so brave for his bio mom to keep the door open and to keep us involved in a way that keeps him close to us,” they said.  

A few months later, Shannon and Jenn fostered their third baby boy, who found his forever home with his new family. “Treasure every moment and strive to pour into every moment,” Shannon encourages. As an LGBTQ+ family, Shannon and Jenn share a unique perspective. “I hope our network of BAPC foster families is enriched and that people know there are options for everyone to love and care for foster children.”  

Fostering with BAPC has allowed the couple to experience pure love and community building. The journey to foster involves training, paperwork, home studies, and the support of a compassionate 24/7 network. “BAPC does a wonderful job preparing you for fostering, offering trainings that expand, encourage, and build an inclusive environment through engagement and continuous learning,” they shared. The organization also hosts fun events for foster families, such as Day in the Park and partnerships with Newport Aquarium, while striving to provide the best care for foster children and their families.  

“Fostering is for people who are looking to love and learn about loving in all different ways,” the couple reflects. “Foster care is a window into how powerful, rich, and enduring love can be.  It is truly a special experience.”  

Beech Acres Parenting Center is so grateful for families like Shannon and Jenn, who have the courage to #LoveBravely. BAPC encourages you to feel empowered to explore fostering and connect with the foster care team today: https://beechacres.org/foster-care/.  

Stay connected with us on social media! @BeechAcresParentingCenter