Extraordinary Love By Christine Vickers
Lena Howard
L
ena Howard, of Liverpool, has been opening up her home and her heart to foster children for several years.
Her experience began when her oldest daughter was 15 and her daughter’s friend and neighbor lived in a home where domestic violence was occurring. Lena took the teenager in and raised her for four years. This began a journey that would lead to helping many other children who were suffering in their own ways. “I always had a soft spot for young people and never wanted to see them hurt,” Lena said. She eventually applied with Onondaga County to serve as a foster parent. During this time she also raised five of her own grandchildren, one of whom is currently living with her now. For the last few years she has been fostering children through a Catholic Charities program called Toomey Residential and Community Services. The difference with this program is that these children are unaccompanied refugee minors who come to the US from countries around the world. Many of them are escaping conflict and oppression. The minimum age is 14 years old and they can remain in the program until they are 18, when they are free to leave the program. They can also receive a Green Card or apply for citizenship, but most cannot return to
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their native countries because of political unrest or military requirements for the very young. The children are fostered for at least five years. Many come from places like Burma and the Republic of the Sudan, countries where they may have been exposed to violence and dangerous living conditions. One child, who witnessed his family being murdered, escaped and lived in the jungle for two years. He cooked his food over a fire with whatever he could find, eating vegetation and fish. He eventually found a refugee camp and his way into Lena’s heart. Lena currently has two teenagers from the program living with her now. The biggest challenge for her and the children can be the language barrier. “We come up with a sign between us,” one for eating, bathing and other common daily tasks. Most of them tend to learn English quickly by watching television and by watching or modeling others. “I am amazed at them,” Lena said. “The children don’t show too many outward signs of distress as other cultures handle their emotions differently.” She explained that as they integrate into American society, counseling is available to them if needed. Lena has also received extensive training from Catholic Charities
to be a host parent. “The children that come here are so grateful to have a place to sleep, clothes on their backs,” Lena said. “It is very hard for many of the children to adapt to our ways. Many have never slept in a bed or have eaten a good meal. The bottom line is I want to provide some type of security. These young people are coming from traumatic backgrounds and coming into a country where they are truly alone. They are afraid and they are strangers. I want to put them at ease and make them feel welcome here.” As the children become part of Lena’s family, she says the most rewarding part of their experience together is “watching them grow from a scared child to a confident child.” Some of her children have gone on to college, others have moved to other parts of the country. Lena keeps in touch with most of them and through her role as a foster parent, truly defines what the word family means. Fostering children, especially from impoverished countries, takes strong commitment. If you are interested in learning more about becoming a foster parent through Toomey Residential and Community Services contact: Catholic Charities, 1656 W. Onondaga St., Syracuse or call (315)-424-1845.
WOUNY.COM • JAN/FEB 2014
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