“I think a myth to debunk about foster kids is that they’re all bad. They’re just regular kids—you just have to give them a chance,” says Lincoln. Lincoln and Chris have been fostering for about two and a half years. For them, the decision was rooted in a desire for family and a commitment to making a difference. “We let them know from the beginning that we were interested in fostering to adopt,” Chris explains. “But reunification is always the main goal.” Lincoln shares how his own childhood shaped his perspective: “I didn’t come from a big family. There was a lot of dysfunction and not having a stable place was the key selling point for fostering. I can relate to most of their stories.” One of their most powerful experiences was with their oldest child: “He had been in 27 homes. We told him, ‘This is home. No matter what you do, we’re not going to give up on you.’ Eventually, he came around and said, ‘I knew you loved me from day one.’ He was the one who asked us to adopt him.” Support from Necco made all the difference: “Our caseworker was amazing—available anytime, day or night. And when we went to our first class, Autumn made us feel secure and prepared to be foster parents.” Their advice for new foster parents? Don’t be afraid to say no. “If you’re not ready for certain behaviors, it’s okay to wait. Saying yes when you’re not ready can confuse the child.” Keep communication open. “Praise them. Let them know they’re doing great.” Be patient. “Not everything has to be perfect. Our oldest taught us patience.” Make time. “We both work full-time jobs, and we still make time for every event, every court session. It’s possible.” Chris and Lincoln prove that fostering isn’t about perfection—it’s about love, stability, and showing kids they matter. Ready to start your foster care journey? Visit https://www.necco.org to learn more. Watch Chris & Lincoln’s full story here: https://youtu.be/fSZ27L9pyxE
