At Necco, our superheroes are the children and foster parents we work with. Meet Gail Davis, one of our dedicated foster parents, as she shares her heartfelt journey and experiences, providing a glimpse into the life-changing impact of foster care. Watch her full story here.
Getting Involved
Gail’s story begins with a simple desire: “I became a foster parent years ago because I wanted a girl,” she recalls. With three sons of her own, Gail yearned to open her heart and home to a daughter. Her sons fully supported her decision.
After a brief hiatus, Gail felt the call to foster once more. She found herself with an empty nest—a spacious home and only her dog for company. Cooking for her dog, she realized she had the time and space to make a difference. “It's just a matter of do you have the heart for it?” she pondered. A chance conversation with a dental hygienist about the shortage of foster homes reignited her passion. “My heart went out, and I said, you know what, I need to do this again.”
Communication and Support
Communication is key in fostering, especially with teenagers. Gail, adapting to the texting era, appreciates how easily she can reach out to Necco. “If I need to get something said, Necco's right there. They hear me.” She encourages others not to shy away from fostering teenagers. “You can sit down and talk to them, and they understand,” she says, highlighting her role in preparing them for life.
Gail’s approach to fostering is both practical and nurturing. She views chores as life lessons, instilling responsibility and independence. “Let me be Mama,” she often reminds the girls, balancing guidance with affection. Her methods are effective—one of her foster daughters transformed into a straight-A student under her care, motivated by Gail’s system of rewards and affirmations.
Beyond fostering, Gail pastors a church, which naturally evolved into a support network for foster parents. “We support each other emotionally, just talking rah-rah,” she explains. This community helps her balance her dual roles, with the skills from fostering enriching her pastoral duties. “Empathy and patience are crucial, and foster care prepared me for pastoring.”
A Warm and Inclusive Environment
At home, Gail fosters a warm and inclusive environment. When conflicts arise, she turns them into bonding opportunities, like hosting crab boils where everyone can sit, eat, and talk through their issues. “They keep you young; they keep you going,” she says fondly of her foster daughters.
Gail’s journey with Necco is a testament to the profound impact foster parents can have. “When you see someone overcome things and you had something to do with it, I’m telling you, I love them,” she shares. Her story is one of dedication, love, and the belief that every child deserves a chance to thrive.
For those considering fostering, Gail’s advice is simple: have the heart for it, and you’ll be amazed at the difference you can make. Necco provides the support; all you need is the willingness to open your home and heart.
Join Us in Creating Families
We are so grateful to have parents like Gail be a part of Necco. Together, we can change lives and build a brighter future for children in foster care. We encourage you reading this to #BeHome for them.
If you want to become a foster parent or learn more about the process, visit: https://necco.org/.
If you want to make a difference in the lives of children every day you go to work, visit our careers page at https://.necco.org/careers.