Resource Family Featured in Palos Verdes Peninsula News

One of our incredible resource families, Martha and Tom Hynes, were interviewed for a feature article in Palos Verdes Peninsula News.

Martha and Tom Hynes became interested in fostering children in 2015 after reading an article in the Daily Breeze. Tom pointed out to his wife that they would make the perfect resource parents. They’ve been married for 42 years, he was retired, Martha, an OB-GYN, was semi-retired and they had no interest in adoption. They were in a stage in their lives where they could dedicate their time and energy to foster children, and mentor and support the birth family in healthy parenting practices.

“We had thoroughly enjoyed being parents, but didn’t quite feel done with parenting and were at a stage in our lives where we wanted to give back to the community that had abundantly blessed us,” Martha said. “Our four adult children gave us their unequivocal support.

“Since Tom and I are not planning to adopt, we’re matched with children who have a high likelihood of reunification with their birth family. Most of the children we’ve reunited have stayed with us for nine to ten months. However, we’ve had some reunite at the first court date in 3-5 days. We’ve also had some children for short term pre-determined time periods as respite for other resource parents or until a more permanent home is identified. When the children arrive, we never know how long they will stay but, we need to be prepared for up to 2 yrs.”

There are 64,000 foster children in California alone, 21,000 of those being in Los Angeles County. Of those children living with foster families, 500 are unable to return to their family and are waiting now to be connected to a family who will adopt. Foster care and adoption give a child an opportunity for change, happiness and growth. The foster care process might be challenging, but creating smiles and offering a stable home for children in need certainly outweigh all concerns.

Through foster care, families become a dynamic support system to children who are waiting to be reunited with their birth parents. While you experience this unique and meaningful experience of parenting, you will become a key factor in a foster child’s life.

Children’s Bureau’s Resource Parents protect and nurture children, meet children’s developmental needs and address delays, support children’s relationships with their birth families, connect children to safe and nurturing relationships intended to last a lifetime, and do all of this as a member of our professional team. The requirements of being a resource parent include flexibility, a willingness to grow and learn with a child and, most importantly, provide a safe and stable home where love for a child is demonstrated.

If you are interested in learning more about the benefits of foster care and becoming a resource parent, please attend one of our upcoming resource parent information meetings.

Read more about the Hynes Family’s journey at Peninsula News.