For foster parents Corina Deshazer and Baily Waring, fostering isn’t just about opening their home — it’s about making sure every child who enters feels like they belong.
Parents to four biological children, their family life is active and connected: outdoor adventures, shared meals, and lots of time together. When they reached a season of stability, they felt ready to extend that life to children who needed it most.
Foster care has always been close to their hearts. One partner experienced foster care firsthand; the other was adopted — giving them a deeply personal understanding of how belonging (or the lack of it) can shape a child’s future.
“We eat dinner together every night,” they shared. “Everyone sits at the table. Everyone shares their day. That routine sends such a powerful message — you matter here.”
Before a child arrives, Corina and Baily ask about interests, favorite colors, and hobbies so bedrooms can feel personal. Once children are in their home, they help decorate and make the space their own.
Those small steps matter.
“We’ve watched kids who came to us closed off slowly open up,” they said. “There’s a moment when you can tell they don’t feel like guests anymore. They feel at home.”
During National Foster Care Month, they want people to know that fostering doesn’t require perfection — just presence.
“You’ll never feel fully ready,” they said. “You learn as you go. What matters most is your willingness to attach, to show up, and to stay.”
Interested in fostering or supporting foster families?
Visit 👉 https://tfirecruitment.org/
