Leona

“IF YOU HAVE A HEART FOR CHILDREN, YOU’RE CAPABLE OF BEING A FOSTER PARENT.”

I Just Knew

Some people spend their entire lives trying to find their calling in this world. Fortunately for me, I found mine at a young age. Before I was married. Before I could vote. Before I could drive a car. I knew I wanted to be a foster parent and eventually adopt children of my own.

There is nothing easy about being a foster parent. You will face new challenges each and every day. But if you have a heart for children, you’re capable of being a foster parent.

You’re Not Alone

I consider it a blessing to be a foster parent, but even blessings will have trying times. And that’s where Family & Children Services came in for me. They are there with you through the entire process – like a close friend. Fostering and adoption are quite a process, but just knowing that you don’t have to do it alone makes all the difference.

For us, the fostering and adoption of a child are celebrated events in our lives. I’m called to impact children’s lives, one child at a time.

My name is Leona, and I help change the story.

With the generous help of Family & Children Services, Leona was able to change the story.

Health

We are making sure people have access to physical and mental health care, and that babies are born healthy. We work with health care providers to keep costs low and make sure services are available for those with little or no health insurance.

Income

We’re helping families become – and stay – self-sufficient by investing in programs that help them stay in their homes, through rental assistance, budgeting and financial counseling. We also help people become financially stable by supporting job training and retention programs, and through the Tax Counseling Initiative and the Emergency Food and Shelter program.

Impact Week Day 5: Caring for Young Families, Supporting Latino Community and Improving Housing in Kalamazoo

December 9, 2022

Impact Week Day 4: Enrichment for Kids and Better Food Access in Jackson County

December 8, 2022

Impact Week: Day 3 Making College Accessible and Maximizing Tax Credits in Capital Area

December 7, 2022

Impact Week Day 2: Supporting Mothers and Feeding Children in Battle Creek

December 6, 2022

IMPACT! Rebuilding After Trauma

December 5, 2022

Impact Week: Let’s meet ALICE

December 5, 2022

IMPACT! Creating Economic Success

November 29, 2022

Let’s End The Violence – Together

November 23, 2022

IMPACT! Feeding a Family in Need

November 21, 2022

United Way SCMI Takes on Kalamazoo County VITA Program

November 16, 2022