A personal journey through foster care that transformed professional aspirations into a lifelong calling to support children and families in their healing and growth.
Hi, I’m Viri! I recently graduated from San Diego State University with a degree in Human Resource Management. I joined Sevita as an HR intern and was placed with the Marketing team, where I had the chance to research and write blog posts for Mentor Foster Care. Through this work, I learned much more about foster care, the families who choose to foster, and the people who work together to support children and families. This blog shares some of the lessons that stood out to me during my internship.
When I began my internship at Sevita, I thought I had a good understanding of foster care. Like many people, I had heard stories and seen movies that gave me an idea of what foster care looked like. I believed it was simply about finding temporary homes for children. After spending time with the Foster Care team, I quickly realized there was so much more to learn.
Throughout my internship, I discovered that foster care is about more than providing a place for a child to stay. It is about building relationships, supporting families, and helping children feel cared for while they are on their own unique journey. I also learned that behind every foster family is a team of dedicated professionals working together to make sure children and families have the resources they need to succeed.
This experience changed the way I see foster care and gave me a greater appreciation for the people who make it possible every day.
One of the unique parts of my internship was that I wasn't working directly with children or foster families. Instead, I learned through research, conversations with the Mentor Foster Care team, and writing blog articles designed to educate others.
Each topic gave me a new perspective. As I researched foster care, I learned about the licensing process, the importance of skill development for foster parents, and the many ways Mentor Foster Care supports families before, during, and after a child is placed in their home.
Writing these articles helped me see foster care from a different point of view. I wasn't just creating content—I was learning about a community of people who work together to help children and families succeed. Every blog I wrote gave me a deeper appreciation for the role foster parents, case managers, licensing specialists, and other professionals play in creating positive outcomes for children.
As I continued my internship, I noticed that many conversations about foster care focused only on the challenges. Through my research and the blog articles I wrote, I discovered there was another side of the story that doesn't always receive as much attention.
I learned that foster care is supported by a network of dedicated people working toward the same goal. Foster parents, licensing specialists, case managers, therapists, and many others each play an important role in helping children and families. I was also surprised by how much time is spent preparing foster families through skill development, personalized guidance, and ongoing resources before and after a child is placed in their home.
The more I learned, the more I realized that foster care is about much more than a single moment or experience. It is built on relationships, trust, and teamwork. Looking beyond the headlines gave me a better understanding of the people who make this work possible every day and reminded me how important it is to share accurate information that helps others better understand foster care.
One of the biggest things I learned is that foster care is much more than finding a temporary home for a child. It is a process built on planning, communication, and teamwork. Every decision is made with the goal of helping children and families receive the care and resources they need.
Foster parents are regular people with big hearts. They are teachers, nurses, office workers, and retirees. They are single adults and married couples. Some have their own children, and some do not. What they all share is a desire to make a difference in a child's life. But here is what really amazed me: they do not do it alone.
I learned that Mentor Foster Care supports foster families throughout their entire journey. From the very beginning, foster parents receive skill development to help them understand how to support children who have experienced hard times. They learn about child development, how to build trust, and ways to help kids feel safe and loved. But the support does not stop after the initial skill development.
Experienced professionals stay connected with foster families every step of the way. They provide personalized guidance that fits each family's unique situation. There are regular check-ins, 24-hour support lines, and a whole team of caring people ready to help. Foster parents are never left to figure things out on their own. They become part of a community that lifts each other up.
Foster parents can be single or married.
You do not need to have children of your own to become a foster parent.
Foster parents come from many different careers, backgrounds, and life experiences.
Families receive skill development, guidance, and resources throughout their foster care journey.
Every child is different, so Mentor Foster Care works to find the right match for each child and family.
As I researched foster care in Ohio, I learned how important foster families are to communities across the state. More than 23,000 children experienced foster care in Ohio between April 2024 and March 2025. Learning this helped me understand that foster care touches communities throughout the state and that every number represents a child with their own story.
Learning about Ohio's foster care system helped me understand that foster care is not something that happens somewhere else. It affects communities across the state and depends on caring adults who are willing to open their homes and hearts to children of all ages.
Another important lesson I learned was that every child is unique.
Some children in foster care have developmental disabilities, autism, or behavioral health needs. Others may simply benefit from extra encouragement as they adjust to new experiences. No matter their background or individual needs, every child deserves the opportunity to grow in a caring and supportive home.
I also learned that Mentor Foster Care helps prepare families to meet each child's individual needs. Through skill development, personalized guidance, and community resources, foster parents receive the tools they need to provide quality care while helping children continue learning, growing, and reaching their goals.
This reminded me that foster care is about finding the right match for each child and family—not a perfect family.
Looking back, this internship gave me much more than marketing experience. It gave me a better understanding of foster care, the people who make it possible, and the importance of sharing stories that educate and inspire.
The biggest lesson I'll take with me is that foster care is built on community. Families, professionals, and organizations all work together to help children grow and succeed. I may have spent my internship writing blog articles, but every story I researched and every article I wrote helped me better understand the impact caring people can have on a child's life.
I hope readers come away with the same understanding I did—that foster care is about people coming together to support children and families, and that everyone can play a role in making a positive difference.