Blog

Seven years ago, Brittany and her husband welcomed their first child in foster care into their home, a little girl with big needs and an even bigger personality. That was March of 2018. Today, that same kiddo—whom Brittany affectionately describes as “amazing and hilarious and always keeps us on our toes”—is still with them, now a vibrant seven-year-old with Down syndrome and autism.

Brittany’s journey as a foster parent has been anything but easy. Between managing complex medical needs, navigating trauma behaviors, and adding two more children to their family (including one via embryo adoption and one who joined their family through foster care then adoption), Brittany has walked a path filled with both heartbreak and joy.
But for a long time, she did it without a village.

“I think in my brain, I was like, ‘Oh, well, I don’t really need help. I’m good. I have good resources. I should leave that for people who need it more.’”

But when her daughter began struggling with sensory processing challenges that felt overwhelming, Brittany realized she didn’t have to carry it all on her own. She had seen something about Project SOOTHe on social media and decided to look into it. She reached out for support and was connected with Rachel through the program.

“That was super helpful,” Brittany said. “Rachel really got it. She helped us think through strategies, and just hearing from someone who understood what we were facing—it made a difference.”

Not long after, Brittany attended a Moms Night Out. It was a low-key evening just five minutes from her home, but it opened the door to something new. That first night led to more gatherings, deeper conversations, and a growing sense of connection.

From there, she began attending caregiver support gatherings, too. With trained volunteers offering safe childcare, those gatherings became a much-needed reset and a chance to connect and learn alongside other caregivers who truly get it. And for Brittany, who had spent years feeling like no one else could handle her daughter’s complex needs, that kind of environment was a game changer.

“I just… felt really seen. And I felt relaxed, like it’s not going to be a huge deal if they have to come get me. Because other parents have to do that too. I’m not the weird one.”

Since then, Brittany has become a familiar face at gatherings, joining other caregivers who are walking similar paths. Some are parenting through foster care. Some are post-adoptive families. Some are navigating medical diagnoses or really complicated corners of the child welfare system. Through it all, these parents remind each other they’re not alone.

“Even just hearing other moms talk about what specialists they’ve worked with, or why their kids do certain things, helped me realize—‘Oh! That’s what’s going on with my kid too.’”

We hear that kind of thing often. When caregivers show up for the first time, they’re not always looking for answers. They’re looking for people. People who won’t ask for explanations. People who understand stimming and meltdowns and long days without a break. People who just get it.

And in those rooms, gathering over coffee, chatting while kids play, or just sitting in the presence of others, something powerful happens: connection.

“Relational support isn’t a finite resource,” Brittany told us. “Just because you have some support doesn’t mean you shouldn’t build more.”

We couldn’t agree more. Caregiver support is at the heart of what we do at Foster Village. From monthly gatherings to one-on-one coaching, from sensory play days to simple conversations that help caregivers feel seen, we’re here to make sure families like Brittany’s never have to navigate this journey alone.

Every child deserves a steady place to land. Every caregiver deserves a village of support. That’s what we’re building. One connection at a time.