Meet the Olsen Family!
This March, we are excited to recognize the Olsen family as Care Providers of the Month! The Olsen family can be described as loving, caring, kindhearted, giving, and family centered. These are just a few reasons why the Olsen family has been selected as Care Providers of the Month.
Shay and Amanda Olsen are currently the parents of six children. The Olsen’s have three biological children and are foster, pre-adoptive, and young adult support parents to three children currently living in their home. “Busy, active, and energetic” are great ways to help describe the Olsen home on a daily basis. The daily activities, appointments, and fun of the day include time with their loving grandmother, who actively supports Shay and Amanda by hosting fun sleepovers and taking the children on special outings to invest into each child’s life.
The Olsen’s began investing in the lives of foster children when they became interested in adoption. Shay and Amanda started their journey by inquiring about youth listed on MARE and found themselves waiting to be matched with just the right child. Understanding the adoption matching process takes time. The Olsen’s attended a MARE Meet and Greet where they met their current foster son who they are in the process of adopting. Knowing that it would take time for potential placement and that not all adoption inquiries are proper matches, the Olsen’s opened their Foster Parent License supporting reunification, to gain experience in fostering, while also hoping to have other adoption opportunities.
While fostering was not Shay and Amanda’s goal to begin their journey, they both saw the need of foster children throughout the state of Michigan. They became determined to make a difference in the lives of as many children as they could. With this in mind, the Olsen’s were able to build their relationship with their son whom they met at the MARE Meet and Greet. Now as experienced foster parents, Shay and Amanda are continuing to work through the adoption process while also fostering a baby and supporting a young adult who has aged out of foster care. The Olsen’s have adopted the mentality that they could help “one more” child over time. When asked about how they have chosen to work with three different cases, Shay and Amanda shared that they had individual conversations with each child in their home who wanted to help make a difference. With the support of the entire family, the Olsen’s have been able to make a difference in the lives of foster children and their families one at a time.
The Olsen’s family story is a beautiful example of a family who has decided to make a difference in the lives of foster children of all ages. The current need for foster parents is great. There are so many opportunities to help make a difference in the lives of youth today by providing stability to a foster child in need of a loving family.
We would love to have a conversation with you about foster parent services. Learn how to make a difference by starting your Foster Parent training today.
To learn more please complete the Care Provider From below.