Abby Mortenson and her husband, Daniel, ran into a variety of heartbreaking issues when trying to adopt a child domestically and internationally.
However, the couple still wanted to make a difference in a young boy or girl’s life and became foster parents. Foster parents play an essential role in providing temporary, safe, and nurturing homes for children when their parents are unable to care for them.
“We have always had a heart for kids, especially ones that are vulnerable,” said Mortenson, a professional photographer, who lives with her husband in Orange County. “We wanted to open up our home to children and be able to love them. For us, it was a calling, and we are blessed and thankful for the opportunity.”
May is Foster Care Awareness Month, which raises awareness about becoming a foster care parent. It also acknowledges the parents, family members, foster parents, child welfare and related professionals who help children and youth in foster care find permanent homes and connections.
The Mortenson’s fostered three children from Sullivan County who they were able to adopt: Five-year-old Thomas, his biological brother Patrick, 4, and a five-year-old girl, Somi. They are providing foster care to Thomas and Patrick’s two-year-old sister and an infant boy.
Children are placed in foster care either by court order (involuntary placement) or because their parents are willing to have others care for them temporarily outside the home (voluntary placement). Some children in foster care are eventually adopted. Approximately 50 percent who enter the foster care system will return to their parent or primary caretaker.
“A lot of people who know I am a foster parent have told me that they have thought about it, but for whatever reason, have not taken the steps to do it,” Abby Mortenson said. “There is such a need for loving homes. I’d encourage people to consider taking a training if they have a heart to support foster children and families. It does hurt to say goodbye, but it’s always worth giving a child the love and care they deserve and need.”
In New York, the number of children and youth in foster care continues to decline, due to the efforts of the State and local child welfare services and community partners. However, there are currently nearly 15,000 children and youth in foster care placements.
For more information about foster care, including how to apply to become a foster parent, please visit ocfs.ny.gov/programs/fostercare or call 1-800-345-KIDS (5437). Applicants must be 21 years of age or older and U.S. citizens or legal residents. They must have the ability to provide each child with his or her own bed and have sufficient income to meet their own family’s needs.
