Success Stories of Wisconsin Foster Care

"My foster parents taught me so much about myself."

I Always Wanted to Adopt

I was placed in a foster home when I was 15, where I chose to stay until I aged out. It was sometimes scary and highly frustrating, but I have come far. The rough, tough girl I was is gone. I grew so much and learned to trust and have confidence in myself.

My foster parents, Colleen and Dan (with CCR for nearly 35 years), taught me much about myself, and I am forever thankful. My case manager, Ms. Wanda (at CCR for 26 years), almost always said something I didn’t like. LOL. But all of those things she said helped shape how I want to live the rest of my life.

I knew that the best way for me to fulfill my future was to work through my past and what I went through. They all helped me do that! These three people and many more are the main reasons I am where I am in life, and it was the greatest gift I could have ever been given.

I was able to do my internship at Dane County Human Services and work in the Independent Living Department, doing precisely what Wanda was able to help me with. It was so cool to say I’ve been on both sides of the spectrum! I just graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater with a bachelor’s degree in social work and a minor in Spanish. I’m SO excited to see where I end up as the young woman my foster family has helped me become today!

’Kayleigh, Juneau County, WI

The Rewards of Foster Care

My name is Julia; I was placed in a CCR foster home when I was 13. I had been in foster care for most of my life, in 8 different foster homes since I was four years old. I was a victim of sexual abuse and was acting out all of the anger that I felt inside. I was lashing out at people, running away, stealing, experimenting with weed, and getting into trouble with the law. Even though I knew I could do better if I tried, I was struggling in school, too, not attending all of my classes and getting suspended for bad behavior. I felt like I didn’t belong anywhere and that nobody wanted me or cared.

For the first six months, I continued to struggle and tested my foster parents, thinking they would eventually have me removed. I was verbally aggressive and defiant, slammed doors, stomped around, and complained about everyone and everything. I would become extremely defensive or totally shut down when anyone confronted me about it.

I eventually began to see that they were not giving up on me. I felt like they were willing to accept me for who I was and give me a chance, and I realized that I could turn my life around if I wanted to. I also realized that I had some positive qualities that would help me make the changes I needed to make. I knew I was smart; I had been on the B honor roll at least once. I made a lot of progress in the foster home by healthily expressing my emotions and began to trust adults, succeed academically, and participate in typical healthy teen activities. I was also participating in therapy with my foster mom and learning to work through my feelings in healthier ways.

I was with my foster family for four years when they became my legal guardians!! I no longer thought of my foster parents as such but more like my real parents. The unconditional support that they gave me allowed me to grow and be successful. After graduating from high school, I attended UW-Platteville. I have remained close to my family, who will always be there for me.

’Kellie, Fond du Lac County, WI

’After my sophomore year, things started happening for me. I felt like I was a part of something; I was beginning to let my foster parents love me. My caseworker Matt (with CCR for 16 years) was there for me 100 percent throughout everything. I just started turning things around in my junior and senior years. With CCR, there is always somebody there to help you, stand by your side, and always stick up for you. ’My social worker Matt was always there for me.’

’John, Eau Claire County, WI.