There are 806 children in foster care in Central Virginia. Although some live in Group Homes and Residential Facilities, the goal is for every child or youth in foster care to live at a home with a family, preferably their parents or relatives. The Departments of Social Services are always trying to find Foster Parents to welcome children into their homes and families.
Steven Bhatt, ED. D., has been a foster parent for boys and young men for almost 20 years. When asked why he became a Foster Parent, Dr. Bhatt replied “I always enjoyed working with kids and helping people out. Being a foster parent is very challenging and yet rewarding.” At last count, he has welcomed 15 boys into his home over the last 18 years.
Steven became the Foster Parent of Juan when Juan was in elementary school. Juan stayed with Steven and eventually they agreed that Steven would adopt Juan. Steven counts Juan’s High School graduation as one of his proudest moments.
Although Steven adopted Juan, he also encouraged Juan to stay connected to both his sisters –he has attended both of their graduations and weddings.
Steven continued to welcome other youth in foster care to his home after Juan came to live with him. Andrew was 16 when he came to live with Steven. Andrew, now age 23, is married with a baby. Andrew called one day to ask a favor of his Foster Dad, he needed someone to take care of the baby for a few days and Steven readily agreed. He noted that the baby slept during the day in a pack-n-go in the Library of the school where he works.
Other highlights for Steven of being a Foster Dad is when the boys who were placed with him as foster youth, now young men, check back to let him know what’s going on with them and he loves to get together with them.
May is National Foster Care Month, and JFS Connecting Hearts will be parterning again with CBS 6 to tell the stories of Foster Parents who have transformed the lives of the children and youth who they have welcomed into their home and family.
For youth and teens, it is especially important to live at home with a family. Steven told of a teen he is mentoring who recently said “I know nobody wants me. What do I have to do so you will like me?” Every child deserves to feel wanted, and to learn how to give and receive love and respect. They learn that and how to develop relationships at home and that is why becoming a Foster Parent is so important.
Steven gives this advice:
- Follow your heart.
- Treat the children or youth like they are your own.
- Don’t be intimidated—the support provided by the agencies, the community, support groups for both the kids and foster parents will help you!
“Family is more than just blood,” Steven says, “It’s what you make, it’s your extended family.”
If you are interested in becoming a foster parent or mentor to a child or teen in foster care, please contact DWise-David@jfsrichmond.org
Jewish Family Services is supported, in part, by a generous contribution and programming grants from the Jewish Community Federation of Richmond.
