By: Brooke Rouse, B.A. and Marketing Manager

When Jenn and Ernie first learned about fostering, they weren’t sure they were ready to open their home full-time. But after watching close friends serve as foster parents and provide respite care, short-term support for foster families, they decided to give it a try themselves. 

“We started out just helping our friends,” Jenn recalls. “We took the respite classes and began staying with their foster kids on weekends or during emergencies. Before we knew it, we were doing respite all the time and we absolutely fell in love with it.” 

Those early experiences opened their eyes and hearts in ways they never expected. Through respite, they met children from all walks of life, supported single foster parents who needed time to rest, and gained hands-on experience that helped them feel more comfortable and confident. “If we hadn’t done respite, we wouldn’t have become foster parents,” Jenn says. “Respite helped us realize how much love we had to give, and it showed us what we were capable of.” 

Eventually, the couple decided to take the next step and open their home to a full-time placement. That’s when they met Nova, a baby with complex medical needs who truly called on them to love bravely. 

Nova required oxygen at night, regular visits with multiple specialists, and endured several hospitalizations in just a few months. “It was terrifying at first,” Jenn remembers. “He almost died from RSV. Emotionally, I was in crisis mode all the time. But even when he was sick, I always knew in my heart that he was coming home.” 

Caring for Nova was demanding and emotional, but it also revealed a new depth of love and strength within them. “He was a child that many people might have said no to,” Jenn says softly. “But we couldn’t imagine saying no. He’s taught us more about love, resilience, and faith than we ever thought possible.” 

Throughout every challenge, Beech Acres Parenting Center has been there for them. “Jess, our caseworker, was amazing,” Jenn says. “She was at our house weekly and always just a call away. The foster community and Facebook group have been so supportive – it truly feels like family.” 

They also found comfort and friendship through other foster families. One family in particular, the McHales, became like an extended family. Their adopted twins and Nova are now inseparable, “three peas in a pod,” Jenn laughs. 

Jenn and Ernie have learned the importance of being genuine and creating a sense of security for every child who comes into their home. “Ernie and I talk a lot about being our authentic selves,” Jenn explains. “He always says, ‘We acknowledge their fears and sadness. We make sure they have their own space – fresh pajamas, a toothbrush, new socks, a stuffed animal – so they feel safe and cared for.’” 

Some of their most meaningful moments are the ones filled with quiet love: sitting in a child’s room until they fall asleep, playing music to calm their worries, or offering reassurance when visits with biological family don’t go as planned. “You love them like they’re your own, even if you know they might not stay,” Jenn says. “It’s not easy, but it’s worth it.” 

Jenn remembers one special moment vividly – the day she told a young girl that she got her Christmas wish. “She wanted to live with family again, and I got to tell her she was going to live with her grandmother,” Jenn smiles. “Her face just lit up. Moments like that remind you why you do this.” 

Another lasting memory was a birthday dinner for Ernie with two girls who were about to return to their mom. “We took them to the Incline House for Ernie’s birthday. It was freezing, and he gave them his jacket. It was the last time we saw them—but it was filled with love and laughter.” 

For those thinking about fostering but feeling unsure, Jenn encourages starting small. “Be a support to foster families. Try respite care first and see how it feels. You’ll fall in love with the kids – you really will.” 

Today, Nova is thriving, and Jenn and Ernie have officially adopted him. Their journey has strengthened their relationship and shaped their family in beautiful ways. “We didn’t start fostering to adopt,” Jenn says. “We foster to reunite families. Nothing in foster care is guaranteed. But it’s changed us for the better – it’s made us stronger together.”