Local resident enjoyed being foster parent

VW independent/submitted information

Local resident Vicki Chavarria served children and families through The Marsh Foundation for nearly 30 years. Recently, she retired from her position as a family teacher. Previously, she was also a foster parent. The way she describes her time working with children is “heart aches to heart hopes.” Chavarria has been kind enough to share some of her most memorable experiences with us. Following are her thoughts.

“Think about a situation that was so heartbreaking that it left you with a deep ache in your heart. How did you react and were you able to recover a little bit from it? When youths come to live at The Marsh Foundation, they harbor a variety of heartaches that have deeply affected them. Their treatment depends on what they need in the areas of physical, mental, emotional and educational health. 

“The Marsh Foundation staff includes the trustees, business staff, maintenance staff, cooks, teaching family staff, school teachers, counselors, and foster care staff. All the staff work together to help youths become the best they can be.

“There are many meaningful moments that youths and staff experience together. Some of my many experiences were in the foster care division and in the group homes. I would like to share a few of those touching experiences with you.

“The first young lady who came to live with me in foster care expressed that she didn’t like Christmas due to unhappy memories. I started to put white lights on the 6-foot Christmas tree. Due to being short, I needed help to reach the top of the tree. She finally offered to help with the lights. After we finished decorating the tree, she marveled at its beauty. She did enjoy that year’s Christmas fun! She has kept in touch over the years.

“Another story is about a teenage young man in the group home. He had a lot of anger and sadness in his heart. One night he was very anxious and couldn’t sleep. I asked him if he wanted me to sing a lullaby. He said yes. I sang a beautiful song called “Whispering Hope.” He said that was beautiful, fell asleep, and slept soundly the rest of the night. 

“Another young lady in the group home was often loud, obnoxious, and acted out negatively many times throughout the day. Staff worked very diligently with her to help her improve her behaviors. Staff also worked with her parents and observed their family visits. Later, the observations subsided. At the spring program, her father came to me to shake my hand. He complimented the staff for their cooperation and great respect shown to his family. 

“The youths in the group homes learn about respect, kindness, and empathy. One boy in particular lacked a certain amount of maturity and had a personality much younger than his age. He put on his Christmas list a certain toy. On Christmas morning he opened the present that contained that toy and was so excited to receive it. The other boys showed him empathy and watched with joy as this boy opened his presents. These acts of kindness warmed the hearts of staff members.

“My last story includes a young lady in the group home who I mentored for a year. She then lived with my husband, Steven, and I for a few months until she turned 18.  Before she moved out on her own, we did a lot of activities, such as taking her first family picture and taking her on her first kite flying adventure. She has kept in touch with us for over 21 years. She is now married and has two daughters. We celebrate birthdays and holidays together. She is our forever daughter.

“There are many more stories I could tell. I have worked with children and youths for many years in a variety of capacities.  

“The Marsh Foundation staff have dedicated their time and talents to turn heartaches to heart hopes in the youths they have served. They truly do fulfill the mission of The Marsh Foundation! 

Thank you, Vicki, for your many years of dedication to the children and families at The Marsh!

The Marsh Foundation is a not-for-profit children’s services agency that provides services in a variety of settings. Services include group homes, family foster care (ages birth-17), an intensive treatment program, adoption and independent living services. Located in Van Wert, the organization’s group homes are licensed for up to 30 children ages 7-17, offers an on-campus school for grades 2-12 and provides a variety of clinical services to group home residents, foster care children and community members.