Every child deserves a place where they feel safe, seen and included — not just temporarily, but fully. For Wichita foster parents Dane and Brendan Reisch, that belief shapes everything they do.
When the Reisch’s decided to foster, they knew they wanted more than just to provide care — they wanted to build a family. After exploring traditional adoption, they realized foster care offered something powerful: the chance to give children permanency, stability and true belonging.
“When a child comes into our home, they’re not a guest,” Dane shared. “They’re part of the family.”
That mindset became especially clear the day their current placement arrived. After a long, overwhelming transition — hospital, long travel, unfamiliar faces — Dane walked the young boy into his bedroom.
“This is your room,” he told him. “This is yours.”
“He just lit up,” Dane recalled. “I think that was the moment it clicked that this wasn’t temporary — that he belonged here.”
Since becoming foster parents in 2025, the Reische’s have welcomed two children into their home and are currently in the process of adopting their 11‑year‑old son. From family gatherings to daily routines, inclusion is non‑negotiable.
“We don’t separate ‘our family’ and ‘our foster child,’” Dane said. “We don’t take separate photos or leave anyone behind. They sit at the table with us — literally and figuratively.”
That sense of belonging makes a difference. Teachers and therapists have noticed improvements in behavior, emotional regulation and confidence — progress the Reisch’s attribute to consistency, patience and showing up every day.
“Kids in foster care aren’t there because life has been easy,” Dane said. “They don’t need perfection. They need a steady adult who stays.”
This National Foster Care Month, the Reisch’s hope their story reminds others that fostering doesn’t require a flawless home — just a willingness to care.
Want to learn more about becoming a foster parent in Kansas or supporting foster families?
Visit 👉 https://tfirecruitment.org/
