Meet December Local Foster Care Innovator, Christy!
Through the Local Foster Care Innovator Award, Fostering Great Ideas recognizes individuals who are changing foster care in their communities through big and small acts of kindness, empathy, and innovation. Christy is certainly the embodiment of this award.
Christy is a Lexington County Foster Parent licensed by DSS. She was nominated by fellow foster parent and Lexington County Foster and Adoptive Parents Association President, Maria. She is currently a mom to two biological children, three adopted children, and two teenagers through foster care. Along with her husband, Matthew, she has fostered 164 children over the last 17 years. Many of these children are considered medically fragile which means that Christy spends countless hours in the hospital caring for them and advocating for them.
Maria stated, “I nominated Christy Mervine because she is the epitome of what a foster parent should be..She is a fierce advocate for all children.” She spoke highly of Christy’s role not only as loving parent, but dedicated community member. She is a Girl Scout Troop Leader and has served on the board of the local Foster Parent Association. She makes herself available to other foster parents who need guidance. “She is willing to mentor and help anyone that has an issue.”
Please join us in congratulating Christy on this recognition and thanking her for her many years of service, dedication to children and families, and support of her community. Perhaps, this can also serve as a reminder to reach out to those people in your own community who are going about and beyond to show kindness to those who need it most.
If you’d like to join us in supporting Christy, you can purchase an item from her family’s Amazon wishlist. She says that with teenagers in the house (and sometimes a family of 8, 9, or even 10), snacks and food disappear quickly. Needing to be at the hospital often with medically fragile children, gift cards for fast food and restaurants help make quick meals easier.
Nominate someone you know who is changing foster care for the better. We love to hear the amazing stories of everyday heroes who are impacting their communities – foster parents, case managers, GAL/CASA, and volunteers. There are so many that work hard (often behind the scenes) to make days a little better and brighter for children and families.
