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It Takes a Village

Most days, in a modest brick cottage in the back corner of campus, Heather Butler flips through recipe books, trying to see if she can multiply the serving size for ten people.

“I can’t cook for a small group anymore. I cook for a huge group now – it’s a process,” remarked Heather.

That’s because Heather’s family grew by five last year when they became the first foster family in Thornwell’s foster care village. Heather and Joey, and their three daughters, were grateful to expand their busy crew and welcome five foster teenagers, including a set of brothers. As long-time teaching parents with Thornwell, the decision to become foster parents and join the village felt like a God-calling.

“It sounded perfect,” explained Heather. “It was like, ‘OK, we can now use all of our experience to try something new.’”

The foster care village was born out of necessity and a desire to be good stewards of available resources. Federal legislation restricts the length of stay for kids in residential care programs, desiring for youth to be placed in private foster homes. There aren’t enough foster homes willing or able to serve teens and sibling groups. Thanks to Thornwell’s faithful supporters, teens and siblings can come to the village and be safe and together!

“The things that we can do – keep siblings together and welcome teens that often don’t get placed in private homes – with cottages on campus in the foster care village we wouldn’t be able to do if we were in the community,” explained Heather. “Donors giving and helping us are really making such a huge impact on families. It’s not just individual kids. It’s sibling groups too. Biological parents know their kids are together while they heal, and that makes an enormous impact.”

This is especially true for brothers Jackson and Brandon – whom you may remember hearing about. Your support kept them together last Christmas and opened them up to new experiences like participating in sports!

“Jackson was very athletic, and so we were able to get him into baseball. He absolutely loved it. He constantly talked about it with his family. His brother got to go to games with him,” said Heather.

Today, the brothers have been successfully reunited with family members – a positive milestone that the Butlers are celebrating.

“We call our kids our borrowed kids. We get to borrow them. They get to be part of our family. They are a part of our memories,” said Heather.

Donor support has made it possible for another milestone – the opening of a second foster care village home! Devotion to our mission is opening the door – literally – for teens and sibling groups to have a safe, loving community to support them.

It takes a village, and we’re grateful you’re a part of it. Thank you!

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