Often when adversity strikes, it’s easy to turn our backs, avoid the issue and ruminate in negative feelings. It’s even easier to further refrain from placing ourselves in situations where our comfort is the cost. This year’s foster parent of the year has looked adversity in the face, utilized the challenge as an opportunity to make a mindset change and continued to propel forward in their purpose and calling. Through celebratory highs and heartbreaking lows, this year’s foster parent of the year nomination goes to Nikki and Charlie Calhoun.
The Calhouns started their fostering journey in 2021 with the desire to provide love and safety to a child in need with hopes of being able to share the activities that bring their family joy and we can confidently say that the Calhouns have done exactly that and so much more in these last few years. In their fostering journey so far, the Calhouns have provided a safe place to land, an abundance of love to provide security, comfort to ease busy minds, and patience to endure whatever came their way. They have worked to navigate routines and provide structure when chaos was more familiar. Nikki and Charlie have provided consistency with schooling to ensure smooth transitions for youth as they change homes and they have provided sounding boards for families who have worked the process of reunification. The Calhouns have provided open arms to process grief and loss, but also celebrations and love. With every obstacle and challenge thrown their way, the Calhouns have been eager to push against adversity to find the best, most successful plans for their youth and their families and champion them on even from a distance.
The Calhouns have been a safe space for children to come find rest and begin to heal and have been faithful advocates and challenged their support teams to ensure that the children’s best interests were always taken into consideration. A stand out moment that often comes to mind when thinking of the Calhouns is the day the agency was able to bring them 3 little youth who had experienced unimaginable heartache and grief with the passing of their foster parent. The agency called the Calhouns and without hesitation shared they were willing to take these kiddos within a few hours notice. The Calhouns were quick to adapt to these kiddos schedules, allowing them to have as much consistency as possible and were willing to accommodate whatever needs were necessary to make sure these kiddos were set up for success. While not always easy to navigate, they Calhouns handled their hearts with delicate care and worked hard to advocate for supports, services and stability.
When asked about some stand out moments, the Calhouns worker’s shared they have always been positive advocates for birth families by providing support, openly communicating and staying involved after reunification. They have successfully supported the reunification of multiple kiddos and have maintained contact and support with birth families. Their worker also shared about their desire to go above and beyond in celebrating whether it was a kindergarten graduation, a birthday, a holiday or a special event. The Calhouns enrolled their youth in extra curriculars and camps and encouraged them to truly be kids.
Nikki and Charlie, thank you for saying yes. Your desire to provide love and safety has changed the trajectory of so many lives already and we’re excited to see what your family continues to champion in the kiddos to come. Congratulations on being this year’s foster parents of the year!
