Recently, the McDevitts, an Angels’ Arms foster family, experienced Trout Lodge and the magic that takes place when you go there as a family. Despite going on the hottest weekend of the year, they were able to ride on a boat, swim in the lake, and ultimately just spend time as a family away from technology and their day-to-day routines.
When Mary McDevitt was asked what a trip to Trout Lodge meant to her she explained, “It refreshed and refilled us all! We were able to reconnect as a family through meals together, games played and shared experiences.”
While at Trout Lodge many Angels’ Arms children encounter “firsts” and for the McDevitt family, who take in many foster children with medical needs, they love watching each child experience the simple joys of just being a kid. “We so enjoyed watching our little guy B experience life outside of our home. He discovered ice cream and snow cones – what could be grander!”, said Mary.
The beauty of Trout Lodge is its appeal to all ages. The McDevitt’s have a wide age range of youth in their home and every child had a special time exploring, learning and growing while there. Mary mentioned “The baby loved being the center of attention – she gave all who talked to her a huge smile and warmed their hearts.”
A unique perspective that isn’t discussed much in foster care is the dynamic between a foster parents’ biological/adopted children and the foster children they care for. Mary touched on this subject and how important trips like this are to all the children living in their home, including their (as they refer to them) “forever kids”. Mary said, “Our forever kids sacrifice a lot by sharing their parents with very high needs little ones and this was just the thing we needed to say to them “we see you and we love you “.
During their time at Trout Lodge, Mary explained how one child had a breakthrough moment while on a boat ride. A young boy that came to their home six months ago, arrived receiving all of his nutrition through a g-tube and was also severely orally aversive. During this trip he came a long way, Jim, Mary’s husband, was feeding the young boy ice cream on the boat and he was anticipating and asking for more bites! A big step for this little guy! “Jim could not feed him fast enough, and there were tears, lots of tears, when the ice cream was gone.”, said Mary. A special moment they surely will not forget.
The McDevitt family is already looking forward to hopefully going back to Trout Lodge next summer! Until then, they have the amazing memories and photos from this special trip to look back on.
Moving from a two-car garage to a warehouse filled with everyday essentials has allowed Angels’ Arms to assist foster families with on-going needs.
Marion’s Angel Depot opened in December 2020. This 4,000 square foot warehouse serves as a donation and distribution center for almost everything Angels’ Arms families need to keep their households running smoothly.
Outreach Coordinator Ashley Cook, Director of Operations Jasmina Schue and Founder/Executive Director Bess Wilfong standing in a stocked Marion’s Angel Depot.
Part of Angels’ Arms mission is to engage the community in supporting foster families. As Founder and Executive Director Bess Wilfong noted, “From the time we founded Angels’ Arms, people in the community have been stepping up with unbelievable support. A lot of that support comes in through donated items. With the help of the community, we can ensure that the foster parents have what they need to care for the children who enter their homes.”
Fall auction volunteers, Sherri Slyman and Christine Christoffel, worked as well as they could in the cramped space of Angels’ Arms garage creating each basket for Angels’ Arms annual auction in November.
“Our distribution center was originally the garage at our first home, which is now the Angels’ Arms office,” explained Maria Rehkember, Development and Marketing Manager. “It was the hub for families to get essential supplies. But it also held all our maintenance tools, fall event decor, office supplies, basket making supplies, and more. We were creative, using every square inch from top to bottom, but the parents couldn’t even see everything that we had for them. The warehouse is a wonderful improvement.”
Volunteer, Susan Benwell, helped to organize the garage as much as possible for the foster parents but as Angels’ Arms outreach grew, the space in the garage just was not enough.
Ashley Cook is the Outreach Coordinator who runs and oversees Marion’s Angel Depot. She sees first hand the benefits the families derive from having a warehouse of supplies. “This is the primary distribution area for our families. They usually come in twice a month for basic necessities such as toiletries, cereal, non-perishable items, TP, laundry detergent, toothpaste, toothbrushes and soap. These are a constant need for our foster parents. Although we don’t provide for all their needs, these donations greatly assist the parents.”
Where does it all come from? Ashley explained, “Schools and companies host drives, individuals collect items, many people order from our Amazon wish list. The parents are like kids in a candy store. It’s amazing to them that people give them so much help. They actually have options, and it’s free. They never know what they will find just shopping the aisles in the Depot. And it has been a huge help throughout the pandemic. Our community is just so generous.”
Marion’s Angel Depot received its first donation on October 5, 2020 thanks to DECA Reality Group. This was the start of something amazing!
Consider this:
In 2021, schools, churches, business and other organizations hosted 43 drives and collections. Angels’ Arms received: 1,902 boxes of cereal, 1,493 canned goods, 3,000+ paper goods items, 8,400 diapers, and more. Our parents utilized the warehouse over 100 times. These donations fill a critical need for our families.
The community comes together to support Angels’ Arms families through collections much like this one shown here. Items are processed when they arrived, inventoried and then placed on the shelves for foster parents to easily grab whatever their families need.
How did the warehouse come about?
The staff and the families saw the need for a warehouse years ago, but it took a generous donation from Marion Bradford to make it a reality. Marion became involved with Angles’ Arms when she went to a dinner auction in 2002. She has been volunteering since that time.
Marion has always been generous with her time and donations. “I decided I wanted to give to Angels’ Arms, but not only after I died. Why should I wait until I was gone? I wanted to put my dreams into action so I could actually see the outcomes, and the joy it could bring.”
Founder and Executive Director Bess Wilfong, holding the key to Marion’s Angel Depot!Volunteers Delores and Susan working hard to prep Marion’s Angel Depot for donations when the warehouse was first acquired.
Her generous donation became the foundation for making the warehouse a reality. Seeing the warehouse fully stocked, Marion realized “how vital it is to have a place for our foster families to get all the supplies they need in one central location. It’s a friendly and warm atmosphere, and our parents can easily see and feel the love and care the community put into those donations.”
As far as the warehouse being named Marion’s Angel Depot, “I don’t think my smile could be any bigger or my heart feel any fuller. It is such an honor.”
Marion Bradford standing in front of Marion’s Angel Depot on the day of the naming ceremony in her honor. Marion walking through Marion’s Angel Depot with Outreach Coordinator, Ashley Cook, and learning all about the processes that take place at the warehouse to maintain organization and efficiency when items are donated.
Filling Needs at the Holidays and Throughout the Year
In the weeks leading up to Christmas, the Depot saw a lot of traffic. Ashley noted, “People are so incredibly generous, but especially so during the holidays.” Shelves and tables were filled with boxes and wrapped packages as part of the Adopt-a-Family program. “It was a blessing to have a place to store and organize all the gifts and supplies coming in.”
Development/Marketing Manager Maria Rehkemper, Outreach Coordinator Ashley Cook, Founder/Executive Director Bess Wilfong and Director of Operations Jasmina Schue handing out donations at Marion’s Angel Depot to foster families for the holidays thanks to generous donors in the community!
The foster parents were equally thrilled. “This is a big help and benefit to my family,” said Brittany Jewett, a single mom with five foster children. It is wonderful to go in a couple times a month and pick up the things we really need.” For Brittany and family, that includes Pull Ups and wipes for the young ones, and snacks for school for the older children.
“It’s also more accessible,” added Brittany, who teaches full-time. “Ashley has an order form, so I can give her the order in advance. She pulls out what I need and has it ready when I stop by after work. It’s wonderful to have the boxes ready to go. I can swoop them up into my car and I don’t even have to get the kids out.
“Ashley always asks the parents if there’s anything we don’t have that we need, and she will try to get that for the next round of donations. It’s amazing that we can stop by and pick up extra items, like toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, face masks – even paper plates and TP. It’s great to have this on hand when I get new foster kids. Lots of times they come to my home with almost nothing.”
Kim Singletonis part of the extended Angels’ Arms family. She doesn’t live in one of our homes, but benefits from the support the Angels’ Arms community provides.
Kim describes her household as “pretty full! I have two children of my own and usually have three or four foster children, also. The Depot helps us by providing almost anything we need – extra food, bedding, necessities, toiletries, everything. I broke down and cried at Christmas, there was a shelf of gifts, just for us, already wrapped for the kids. Angels’ Arms is a great organization. When I say it is a blessing that they are there, it is truly, truly a blessing.”
Susan Benwell, Angels’ Arms 2019 Volunteer of the Year, assisted families when supplies were stored in the garage. “It was such a small space, trying to house hardware, supplies for the families, event supplies, and a big conference table that was used as an intake table and a work table. The Depot lets us separate and sort things better. It has made a huge impact on our families.”
A look back at how cramped the space was in the garage when planning for events!
The holidays were a busy time. Susan stated, “Christmas was a wonderful blur. It is so beautiful to see so many people stepping forward, even kids, to help our foster kids. The biggest thing I have seen volunteering here is how so many people come together and contribute to the families. Sometimes it’s a little bit, sometimes a lot. A whole bunch of people, coming together to make a difference for our families.”
In all, 12 families living in Angels’ Arms homes as well as 10 extended foster families benefit from the tremendous generosity of the community. These 22 dedicated foster families are extremely grateful for the assistance they receive.
Some of the foster families in Angels’ Arms Extended Families Program receiving donations during the holidays at Marion’s Angel Depot.
As Marion stated, “ It is a great feeling to work with so many wonderful people, from the donors to the staff to the parents. Everyone is making a difference in the lives of each child Angels’ Arms touches.”
Are you interested in helping stock the shelves at Marion’s Angel Depot?
Individuals and groups are more than welcome to host a collection for Angels’ Arms. Although the Depot is well stocked around the holidays, the supplies get lower in the spring and summer.
Contact Ashley at ashley@angelsarms.org or 314-842-8400, to host a collection or if you need more information.
The resources and support provided by the community helps raise the standard of care for foster children. Every donation touches the life – and the heart – of a child.
Lawreene’s advice for someone considering being a foster parent sounds simple: Be prepared for the unexpected. Plan, but be ready to pivot.“It is definitely going to test your patience, but it is going to be absolutely rewarding. The kids have been through so much. There are so many different levels of their trauma that you are going to deal with.
“It’s totally different from raising your own kids. I tell people all the time, I could not have done this while I was raising my sons. God knew that, and that’s why he didn’t put it on my heart at that time. It requires so much of you emotionally, physically – you are pulled in a lot of directions. But if you are called to do it, God is going to give you the grace to do it.
“People might look and think, ‘Gosh, that’s easy,’ but they don’t see all the behind-the-scenes. You deal with everything you had with your biological kids, but with the addition of all the underlying trauma. A lot of that is peeled back in layers. All kids are complicated. You throw in the other things they have gone through, things they have not even shared with their caseworkers. Those things slowly come out the more they are comfortable with you, the more they feel like, ‘I belong, I’m part of a family, I feel safe.’ Then whole layers start coming off and they start sharing. Then you can really help them.”
Keep them together
Angels’ Arms’ goal of keeping sibling groups together is important to Lawreene. “I grew up in a large family with six kids. When I think about being torn away from them, I don’t know how I would be able to navigate and handle that. I would have been looking for my siblings. That’s why I like keeping sibling groups together. I have six boys, ages 6, 7, 11, 11, 12, 14, and that includes two sibling groups.”
One of the 11-year-olds has been with Lawreene since he entered foster care 3 years ago. His brother came about a year and a half ago because he was bouncing from house to house. “We got him stabilized and he was so happy to be with his brother. They really connect. Once he got here he could breathe a sigh of relief – there’s something familiar for me now.”
Helping the parents
In the world of fostering, Angels’ Arms has made a tremendous, positive impact on Lawreene and her foster families. But what would she change if she could change foster care to make it better for the youth?
Lawreene believes providing resources for the biological parents of the children on a state level may be the best change that could be made. “Some funds should be allocated to the parents to try to help them get their kids back home, to reunify them. That would be a big help. Sometimes they are just stuck in a cycle. They are struggling, working minimum wage jobs. They are told they have to take a parenting class. But they need their job, and they can’t take this day off work to go to this parenting class. But they can’t get the kids back home without the class. But if they lose their job they still can’t get their kids back home.
“Sometimes it’s something that simple that prevents the kids from going back home. Deep down, what the kids want is to be with their parents, or whatever family looks like for them. And there are times when this would be best for the kids and for their mental health. The parents feel like the whole system is against them. But our goal is to reunify families when it’s possible and healthy for the kids. Extra resources could make a big difference.”
I See You, I hear you
Lawreene is well aware that every child is unique, but she knows they all have one thing in common. “They all need to be seen. They all just want to be seen and heard. No matter what their trauma, if you just let them know, ‘I see you, I hear you, I’ve got you.’ Sometimes when they start opening up and talking to you, they are not looking for you to solve anything for them, they just want to know that you hear them. Finally, somebody sees me and hears me. You might not have a solution for me right now, but you hear me, you see me. That’s what’s common in all of them. I think that’s how I’ve been able to connect with all of them. I just let them know, I see you, I hear you.”
Saying goodbye
One thing Lawreene has learned is that her foster kids won’t be with her forever. “My very first placement came to us in 2013, a sibling group that was with us four years. It was the hardest thing in the world when they moved back home. It was like a piece of me left with them. I learned from them.”
And just as Lawreene learned from her first foster kids, she uses that knowledge to positively impact every child she touches. She’s a mom who knows that goodbye is sometimes the best answer, but she will ALWAYS see, hear and be there for her foster children.
I was a bit fatigued the day after receiving my 2nd COVID-19 vaccine. But it was a beautiful Saturday in February, and I know I wasn’t feeling nearly as tired or cruddy as one of our house moms who’s in the biggest battle for her life. She has breast cancer, her2 positive, which means it spreads quickly. Her treatment plan includes chemo that goes right through her—many times a day. Needless to say, she’s always tired and feels like the life has been zapped from her.
Ramona, foster mother, and cancer fighter.
We all know people who battled cancer: some of them fought and lost and some fought and are still here, including me. But this is different. This single foster mom has 7 children living in the home. They’re all learning virtually. As a foster parent, you never know who you’ll get, what behaviors they’ll exhibit, and how long they’ll be with you.
This group of 7 kids is special. They are a family unit. They laugh, argue, clean, eat, and play together. Every single one of them has a happy disposition. Some of them are siblings. But if you didn’t know differently, you would think they’re one group of siblings.
I took all 7 of them to Forest Park Saturday so mom could rest and just have a bit of downtime. What a tremendous blessing this turned out to be. When I arrived at their home, they were waiting by the door. Each one of them had one of the specially-themed denim quilts made just for them in their arms.
Exploring the beauty of Forest Park.
The gratitude they exhibited was completely unexpected. “Thank you for taking us to this really cool park.” “Thank you for setting up this picnic for us.” “Thank you for taking time from your weekend to be with 7 kids.”
We walked in creeks, walked some trails, played Zombie Tag (I was “it” most of the time since I’m a slow runner), but even then, they came to my rescue and allowed me to catch them. We had a picnic lunch with everyone sprawled out on their personalized blankets. Other kids even came to play with us and shared their kites and balls with them.
The kids loved having a picnic in Forest Park on their personalized quilts from DenimQuilts.
I can’t begin to tell you what this day did for my heart and my soul. It’s quite evident that these kids are experiencing what love is. They know what it means to be part of a family. They’ve learned what it means when someone has their back.
I talked with them about how hard it is to endure chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. I talked about the fatigue, the sick feeling, the metallic taste of almost all food, the inability to sleep due to frequent trips to the bathroom. I let them know that their foster mom’s cancer is treatable and has a very high success rate. Regardless of what the doctors say, it’s scary as hell, and each day in treatment (and after) brings its own challenges.
But all the while this beautiful mama manages to smile. In fact, her tears are tears of gratitude. She and her big family have been enveloped with more love than they know what to do with. They’re receiving delicious meals from supporters, from Pink Ribbon Girls, and from Angels’ Arms. One dedicated supporter redid her bedroom to make it more of a tranquil place. Others have assisted with laundry, cleaning, building another room for storage…the list goes on.
Ramona excited about her donated meals from Pink Ribbon Girls and volunteers building out a laundry room in her home.
Ramona’s new bedding and decor thanks to long-time volunteer, Linda Robben.
The kindness Ramona is experiencing is the sunshine that’s attempting to take over the always-looming clouds.
At the end of the day, I brought the kids home. They each went in to say hello to their “mom” and let her know how much fun they had. Then I went in to tell this mama how full my heart was. When you get outside of yourself and spend time with kids whose parents have died, given up parental rights, abused and neglected them, it certainly diminishes your “problems” and gives your existence a new perspective.
A selfie to remember this fun day!
We’re here to help each other. It takes more than a village. It takes one big-ass village.
Bess Wilfong
Executive Director and Founder
Angels’ Arms
As our busiest couple months ever comes to a close, we can’t wait to introduce you to our newest house mother, Kasondra McDaniel! She will be moving into one of our Ballwin homes. Kasondra and Kim, one of our current house parents, are sisters. So not only are we helping foster siblings, but we also have siblings doing the fostering! Kasondra has been fostering for two years now and has fostered five children including two sibling groups. Please enjoy this brief Q&A with Kasondra:
What compelled you to become a foster parent?
My sister and all her many foster children inspired me. Kim has been a foster parent in the St. Louis area for over 20 years. Her family has made a home for over a hundred foster children. Watching her and the children over the years inspired me to help make a difference in children’s lives.
What does it mean to you to now be a part of the Angels’ Arms Family?
Being a foster parent is challenging, as well as rewarding. Angels’ Arms provides support/resources and a community for foster families. The African Proverb is true, “It takes a village to raise a child.” That quote is especially true when dealing with foster care. In addition to becoming part of an organization that is focused on making foster children’s lives better. It will be a great honor and blessing for my family to be a part of the Angels’ Arms family.
Do you have a favorite memory of fostering? If so, what is it?
Some of my favorite memories include multiple firsts for the foster children. I can not highlight one specific memory, but I have multiple favorites that all include: bright eyes, “Ooooos” and “Awwws,” smiles, laughter, and fun. A child’s first experience at the zoo, pool, movie theater, concert, Six Flags, shopping, fireworks, special birthdays, and Christmas. When a child becomes comfortable and feels safe enough to grab you and give you a hug. It is always a special memory when a child allows you to show them love, respect, and the appreciation they deserve.
What are you most looking forward to about becoming an Angels’ Arms house parent?
Once again, I cannot choose one thing I’m looking forward to. We are looking forward to moving into a home that is freshly painted and new to us. I am looking forward to my very own bathroom… lol. The little things I know! We love the location of the house and it will allow my kids to ride their bikes in the neighborhood safely. The new location will make my life easier due to the availability of daycare and after-school care because I am a full-time teacher too. So many things to look forward to, but the bottom line is the constant support and appreciation shown by so many in order to prove to these kiddos that people do care.
Things here at Angels’ Arms are always changing and evolving. As mentioned in one of our previous blog posts, this summer has been dedicated to transitioning several of our homes. Just last week we welcomed the newest residents in one of our St. Louis City homes, the McDevitt’s.
Mary and Jim McDevitt have been fostering for over seven years and they focus on caring for infants with medical needs. They’ve dedicated their lives to helping foster children and we’re thrilled to welcome them to the Angels’ Arms family.
“We are overjoyed to be members of the Angels’ Arms family,” says Mary McDevitt. “We look forward to continuing to serve our community by providing a safe and loving home while partnering with community members. The children are the real winners when we all come together with love to serve them. I know the children in our home will grow in so many ways as they see how much those in the community love them. We look forward to supportive relationships with like-minded families whom we can help support and draw strength from as well.”
*A fun-fact about our new family: Mary used to work at Professor Bear’s Daycare in St. Louis City, and she was a caregiver for none other than Abbey, our Communications Coordinator. What a small world!*
Thank you to the following businesses and individuals who helped the McDevitt family move and transition into their new home with Angels’ Arms:
Two Men and a Truck for once again donating four men and two trucks to help move this family into their new home
Jim and Maggie Lang for donating a washer and dryer
Mary Rateman for donating a recliner/ rocking chair to help rock the babies to sleep
The countless volunteers that have turned this house into a home by painting almost every room in the house, cleaning the floors and sprucing up the yard
Last, but most certainly not least, a special shout out to our Maintenance Manager Tom for contributing innumerable hours working on this house to get it ready for this new loving family. Tom worked on weekends and even into the evenings several times making sure everything was in tip-top shape
Two Men and a Truck donated their services to help the McDevitt family move into their new home.
This hard-working team unloaded two full trucks into the McDevitt family’s new home.
It was tricky at times to get some of the furniture upstairs, but the movers from Two Men in a Truck made it their goal to get everything where it needed to be.
In addition to assisting our 12 families and older youth/young adults, we are helping four large, local foster families (24 children total) being cared for by single mothers who have been carefully screened and are in dire need of assistance. Please consider purchasing any of these items and dropping them off at the office. While we can’t have visitors, you can ring the bell, and we’ll get the items from your car to the garage. Here are the following items we are looking for:
You can use Target curbside pick up for home essentials such as sheets and detergent. This is a great alternative instead of shopping in store.
House hold essentials:
Twin bed sheets
Laundry detergent (name brand)
Toilet paper
Frozen foods:
Pizzas
Nuggets
Frozen meals
Eggo Waffles
Frozen meat (burger patties, chicken breast)
As we assist more families in the area, the need for groceries grows even more. Frozen foods and non-perishable items are a MUST in every home with multiple children.
Other food:
Eggs
Milk
Bread
Snacks
Cereal
Fresh fruit
Fresh vegetables
Toys/Games:
Activity books
Water toys
Swim diapers
Yard games
Etc.
We are distributing these items to foster families in our community on THIS THURSDAY, JULY 2 at 12pm so please drop off your donated items anytime on the below dates and times: Tuesday, 6/30 from 9am-5pm, Wednesday, 7/1 from 9am-5pm and Thursday, 7/2 from 9am-12pm.
If you cannot donate any of the items and would prefer to make a cash donation, please visit angelsarms.kindful.com.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Ashley at ashley@angelsarms.org or call (314) 842-8400.
Cathy Miller, another one of our new house parents.
Anne Fisher, Tonja and Cathy Miller have all dedicated their lives to helping children and youth in foster care. The dynamic mother-daughter(s) duo of Tonja and Anne have been a staple in Angels’ Arms’ history and mission. Now, Cathy will be moving into Anne’s Angels’ Arms home as Anne transitions out of fostering children.
Cathy has been fostering children for two years, but started out as a license respite provider. She has been around the fostering community for 14 years – ever since her mom, Anne, started fostering. Cathy currently has three girls living in her home. Although not an “official” Angels’ Arms house parent until recently, Cathy and the foster children she takes care of have already been part of the Angels’ Arms family for several years.
“Ever since I met Miss Bess, she opened her arms up to me and accepted me as already part of this family,” says Cathy.
Cathy has been involved in Angels’ Arms events, shopped for supplies in our garage and attended multiple family activities.
“Angels’ Arms is exactly as the titles states,” says Cathy. “They open their arms to anyone and everyone to offer support. It’s been the biggest blessing.”
We’re so lucky to have an entire family of dedicated foster parents in our organization.
The Miller family with foster and bio children.
Anne with her farewell canvas from Angels’ Arms
Anne spent seven years with Angels’ Arms from 2012-2020, but has been fostering children in need for about 15 years. During her time at Angels’ Arms, Anne took in 25 children who she loved and treated as her own. “I’m so blessed and thankful…,” says Anne. “Thank you Angels’ Arms.”
Tonja with her farewell canvas from Angels’ Arms
Tonja fostered 19 youth during her two years with Angels’ Arms. Many of the children she helped, were involved in our Life Launch program. Tonja, along with Angels’ Arms, helped provide tutoring resources for those who needed an extra help in class among a myriad of other forms of support.
There has been a whirlwind of changes here at Angels’ Arms over the past few months – as our friend Olaf from Frozen would say, “all good things, all good things!” We are in the process of transitioning three of our homes for new families. During this season of change, we have gotten to know several amazing families who are doing such wonderful things to improve the lives of foster children. There are two new families we have selected that will be joining the Angels’ Arms family. Introducing our newest house parents:
Lawreene and Will Hall will be the newest parents living in one of our South County homes. The Hall’s have fostered for over six years and have five foster children with them currently, four of whom are siblings. They take elevated needs children and are in the process of completing their therapeutic classes.
“For us being welcomed into the Angels’ Arms family is such a blessing,” says Lawreene Hall. “The boys are so excited about the larger yard and the extra bedroom. We currently have two sets of siblings that will now be able to spread out some. The added support has already made such a huge difference in our lives.”
Hall children
Two Men and a Truck donated their time to help the Hall family move into their new home
Lawreene and Will Hall in their new home
“We’re simply blessed to be part of this organization,” says Will.
When we say “it takes a village,” we truly mean it. Thank you so much to the following people and companies who have helped get this home ready for a new family:
Greentree Community Church for helping our Maintenance Manager, Tom, stain the deck, paint, install flooring and everything in between
Tim Mitchell for also helping Tom install new flooring
Judy Kriete and Joe Robideau for painting the master bedroom and inside of the closets
Two Men and a Truck for donating their services to help move everything from one home to another
Marnie Clawson, Chris Madison and Linda Marino Adair for donating to our Wish Wednesday fundraiser on Facebook so the Hall’s can get an outdoor play set for their children to enjoy
Even some of the youth in our Life Launch program stepped up to help Tom move heavy furniture from one home to another
Stay tuned for next month’s blog post where we will introduce you to the other wonderful family that will be moving into an Angels’ Arms home in St. Louis City.
Katie and Josh Brown have been an integral part of the Angels’ Arms family since 2011. They have treated every single child who has entered their home with love and compassion. The Browns are known for their love of the outdoors. During their time at Angels’ Arms, they have given children the opportunity to enjoy fun outdoor activities they normally would have never had.
“It’s so exciting to show kids who come to our home a whole world of experiences that they haven’t seen before,” says Katie. “Whether it’s going for a nature hike, running in their first 5k, or even just playing at a local
park. One of my favorite memories was taking a young man on his first hike, he told me afterwards he had ‘no idea there was so much space out there to just walk around.’”
Below, we asked them a few questions about their time at Angels’ Arms:
How long have you been with Angels’ Arms? How many years have you been fostering total?
We have been with Angels’ Arms for 9 years and fostering for 12 years total.
What made you want to become a foster parent?
We both grew up understanding the need for kids to have a stable home due to our own life experiences. It was, and still is, important to us to be a safe, stable support for kids in need.
How many kids have you fostered through Angels’ Arms?
We fostered around 50 different kids during our time with Angels’ Arms. Kids as young as 2 weeks to young adults and just about every age in between!
What has being a part of Angels’ Arms meant to you?
Being a part of Angels’ Arms, meant being a part of a family. Without having many of our own family members close to us in St Louis, Angels’ Arms became like family and a strong support for us. The love and generosity of the community not only helped the foster children we served but we also made some invaluable friendships along the way.
What is your fondest memory of being with Angels’ Arms?
We have so many special memories from our time at Angels’ Arms. One of my first memories was when we took an infant girl shortly after moving into the Angels’ Arms home. Within less than 24 hours of asking for clothes for the girl, we had an entire porch full of clothes for her! We hadn’t felt that kind of love and support before with fostering! Another fond memory we have were of the monthly family activities. The volunteers who ran those activities had such a way of making each child feel special and appreciated! We truly looked forward to each one because it brought such joy to the kids!
What’s next for you and your family?
We will miss being such an integral part of the Angels’ Arms family but with our 2 children growing up and needing more from us, we need to take a step back from taking the larger number of foster kids. We will continue to serve children in the St. Louis area so keep an eye out, the Browns will still be around! We want to thank each person who has been a part of our Angels’ Arms journey, you’ve made such a difference not just in our lives but in the lives of all the children we were able to foster with your support. Thank you!
[ngg src=”galleries” ids=”13″ display=”basic_thumbnail” thumbnail_crop=”0″]As their chapter with Angels’ Arms comes to a close, we will not forget how essential they have been to Angels’ Arms’ entire story. The following is a message from our Founder and Executive Director, Bess, about how the Brown family has impacted Angels’ Arms’ mission:
Many of you have been fortunate to get to know some pretty special foster parents who have lived in our home in Winghaven for 9 years. Josh and Katie Brown have been family to many children in need over the years. But these two individuals go way beyond what foster parents are expected to do.
While taking kids who’ve been physically abused, sexually molested and severely neglected, they make sure that each of these children receives every available resource out there. They ensure that each child is included in all aspects of family life. In short, they truly love each and every child and teen who walks through their door.
I recall Josh, who’s a pilot, taking the kids on a tour of a plane.
I recall Katie visiting incarcerated biological parents on multiple occasions and trying to keep the lines of communication open with their children.
I recall Josh and Katie visiting the homes of the biological families to try and make the transition back home from their foster home a bit smoother.
I recall them taking children to the emergency room at all hours of the night.
I recall them ensuring the children in their care ate healthy and became physically active. They even enrolled some of them in walks and marathons.
I recall them going to church every week and ensuring the kids felt comfortable in their classes.
I recall Katie being in the delivery room with one of their teens who came to them pregnant. She was a mom to this young girl and still remains a part of her life.
I recall Josh teaching a teen how to drive and trying to guide him in the right direction through all of his challenges. They still are in touch to this day.
And finally, I recall the day when this beautiful family adopted Zeke, a young boy full of life and tons of potential. And I recall the day they adopted sweet Olivia, a caring and lovely little girl.
Please join me in sending off Josh, Katie, Zeke and Olivia Brown as they transition into their next chapter of life. They will be sorely missed by all of us, but they will always continue to do God’s work. Their journey is rooted in faith, and that’s where they get their extreme dedication and strength.
