Hungry for a family

Al and Terry Poston would tell you they are pretty regular people. They have two grown children and two grandchildren. They own a nice, comfortable home. Al and Terry are very unique and an inspiration. After raising their own children, Al and Terry felt that they needed to do something more, they needed to help other children achieve stable lives. They decided to become licensed foster parents.

Becoming a foster parent wasn't a quick decision for Al and Terry. Al says it took him a couple of years to finally make the commitment. He talked to family members who were foster parents. He admits at first he didn't understand how important being a foster parent could be to a child. After Al got to know some of the foster kids placed with his extended family members, he could see how having a stable place to live could make a positive impact on a child's life.

Freddie came into Al and Terry's home more than four years ago. He was pushing boundaries and expressed some challenging behavior. Al and Terry knew his behavior was just part of growing up, part of being a teenager, so they gave him boundaries and watched him grow and mature. Freddie also was hungry for a permanent family. From the first few days he lived with Al and Terry, he told them he wanted to be part of the family. Terry said that once a child comes into her home, he is part of the family, but both Al and Terry felt like it needed to be more, it needed to be official.

Freddie, who is very artistic and loves sports, turned 16, just two weeks before he officially took the last name of Poston. His excitement showed on his face on the day of the adoption. He had the family he was so hungry for. His caseworker from Children's Family and Community Partnerships, Sandra, had been with Freddie since 2002 was very excited, "I just wanted Freddie to become a part of a permanent family. He has that now."

Malik came into the Poston family about a year before Al and Terry made him an official family member. Terry said Malik, just fit with the family so that it was a natural for him to become a permanent member. On the same cold day in January, the quiet 12 year old, also took the last name of Poston. "Malik has grown and changed so much during the past year. The Poston's have made such a positive impact on the his life. It is incredible to see how far he has comes," says Steve, Malik's caseworker from Children's Service Society of Wisconsin.

Al and Terry have wonderful things so say about Sandra, Steve and other staff members at Children's Service Society and CFCP. "Without their support, we wouldn't be the strong family we are today. We are very thankful to both agencies," said Terry.

Al and Terry are truly a unique couple. They have truly been able to change the lives of Freddie and Malik.

Children's Service Society of Wisconsin and Children's Family and Community Partnership provide services to children and families in Milwaukee County through a partnership with the Bureau of Milwaukee Child Welfare.