In case you missed our showcase of amazing foster mothers for Mother’s Day in May on Facebook, here is the week three recap (check out week one and week two, and join us on Facebook here).

Phoebe McCloud

Phoebe McCloud

Robin Cremeans, Home Finder for Kanawha County, gives a special recognition of Phoebe McCloud:

“Phoebe has been a foster mother with KVC since February 2010. She has gone above and beyond the call of duty for her children. She has been an inspiration to many who meet her.”

View the Facebook post honoring Phoebe here

Vonda Gartin

KVC Logan would like to honor foster parent Vonda Gartin:

“Vonda and her husband, Vaughn, have been foster parents with KVC since 2004. However, they have been in the foster parent program for a total of 34 years. Vonda has cared for over 200 children in her home over the years and has adopted two children. Vonda feels that “foster care is more than a job, it’s a calling.” She also states “these

Vonda Gartin

children have taught me more than I ever could have taught them.” Vonda does very well caring for teenage females. Even though there are some challenges, she remains positive and is successful. She is also very respected by all WV DHHR staff she has worked with who often request for her to care for children in need. She has received numerous awards for her service from the state and the agencies she has been affiliated with.

Vonda has worn many hats in her lifetime. In the past, she been involved as a co-trainer for Pride, served as vice president for the area little league activities, has been involved with the Girl Scouts, has been involved in the majority of her church-related activities and events, and has supervised parents of foreign exchange students. These, as well as other accomplishments too numerous to mention, have been performed all while caring for children who have been placed in her home.”

View the Facebook post honoring Vonda here

Christina McCormick

Christina McCormick

Christina McCormick and her husband, Ryan, opened their home to foster care in early 2012. They already had two children of their own, but they have hearts full of love and decided to add more children to their home. Ryan is a truck driver, and Christina is the main caregiver during the week for the children in their home. She has great family and friends as a support system to help her with the call that God has placed upon her heart.

In 2012, they received a sibling group of three into their home. These three children became their three adopted children in April 2013. Their home of four grew to seven. Now you may think Christina decided to stop, but she still had more love in her heart.

In July 2013, Christina and her family decided to care for another sibling group. They were granted a waiver and they took two more children into their home. This is when Christina really began to shine as a great foster/adoptive parent. I will never forget how she treated the children’s mother with respect when she brought them to the KVC office for visitations. To this day, I always use Christina’s behavior as an example in my foster parent training classes because these children will never forget the respect she showed to their biological parent. Christina and her family will be adopting these two children into their home later this summer, and the McCormick family will grow to nine.

To handle her large household, Christina is a strong mother figure with high expectations for the children’s behavior. She follows through with consequences, and the children have learned to respect and love her. She expects their best in everything that they do. Christina McCormick is truly a “gift from God” for her family and we salute her.”

View the Facebook post honoring Christina here

Shirley Browning

Shirley Browning

Robin Cremeans, Home Finder in Lincoln County, and the Lincoln Staff would like to recognize Shirley Browning as an exceptional foster mother!

Shirley has been a KVC foster mother since March 2005. She is a loving mother that has adopted five children and is still fostering today. She has been a wonderful advocate for KVC children in foster care.

View the Facebook post honoring Shirley here

Thank you to all of our phenomenal foster mothers!  We are thankful for your service. If you are interested in becoming a KVC foster or adoptive parent, find out more information here.