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The Oklahoma United Methodist Contact
January 3, 2024
Foster mom helps teen girls grow and thrive with Circle of Care
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ostering children is a desperate need across the country. In Oklahoma, one Second Mile Ministry has risen to the challenge. The organization, Circle of Care, couldn’t do what it does without the help of several volunteers, foster parents, and others who open their hearts and homes to children who need a safe place to thrive as they navigate their young lives. They shared the story of April Bryant, a foster mom who works with teen girls. Adapted from Circle of Care: “You have to give them the April Bryant and her two biological daughters welcome Chloe, RIGHT, on her adoption leeway to be who they are. You day. Chloe was April’s first foster placement and is her oldest child. Submitted photos. can never expect a teenage kid to be perfect or what you had in mind.” April Bryant speaks passionately about her heart for of the children placed in her home. has turned the hard lessons she learned teenage girls and how fostering Chloe was her first placement. She from her childhood into a blessing for teenagers has been both a challenge also has a six- year-old adopted son. others. “I have so much love, so much and a blessing. You might assume that with a full knowledge. I believe I can help them In the United States, only 58 percent house, April would be done fostering, succeed in life.” of foster teens live with a family, but you’d be sorely mistaken. She From navigating school, to finding a compared to 95 percent of children is fostering two more children at the job, to earning a driver’s license, April 12 years old and younger, according moment. believes she can be there to help them to a Pew Research study. April is one What motivates April to foster -through all the challenges of teenage person who has opened her home to fill especially foster teenagers? “I didn’t life. It’s challenging for her, as well. this desperate need. have a good upbringing,” she explains. “They’re teenagers, so they’re going A single mom with two biological Both her parents dealt with substance to be stubborn,” April comments. “But daughters of her own, April has been a don’t ever be embarrassed of your Circle of Care foster parent for nearly abuse. “I should have been removed from my home,” she says. But April foster kids, even when they act a fool. five years. She has since adopted two
