Become a Foster Parent

When you register for an Information Meeting or begin your training classes at Beech Brook, you’ll have the pleasure of meeting Tonya Reese, our foster care services coordinator. Tonya is not just a highly skilled professional. She’s a mom, a foster mom and an adoptive mom. Tonya clearly knows what she is talking about, and she’ll make sure you get off to a great start as a foster parent.

“I met a neighbor who was fostering children, and these children were always at my house playing with my kids,” Tonya recalls.  “This neighbor’s shift changed at work, and my husband I became her alternate care givers. We became friends and she suggested that Tonya and  her husband become foster parents.’”

Tonya’s first reaction was to say no.

“I had heard horror stories about foster children; however, after getting a better understanding of foster care and taking care of her children, my heart melted. I went on to foster eight children, along with my four children, and adopted six of the eight foster children,” she said.

That would be more than enough for most people, but Tonya had more to give.

“Since I was always helping others with whatever they were going through in their lives,  I decided I could help in many other ways. So, I went back to school for social work. I started at Cuyahoga Community College to make sure I could balance school and raising 10 children. I received my bachelor’s degree from Ursuline College and then completed my master’s degree at Case Western Reserve University’s Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences,” she said.

“Although I have worked in several fields of social work, my passion has always been working and advocating for all children. With all this said, I did not do it alone. My husband and I worked as a team. I continue to advocate for children and try to make sure they have a good foster home match that will provide the stability and services they need while in care.”