Standing in the Gap

How Direct Financial Assistance Supported a Foster Family

When Alyssa and Johnny received a call in February 2025 asking if they could provide kinship care for their 4-year-old relative, they didn’t hesitate. Having fostered before and later adopting their daughter Brynnley through The Villages, they knew firsthand the impact a safe and loving home could make.

But with limited support available at the time, they shouldered daycare, medical needs, and essentials on their own for the 4-year-old, while also caring for Brynnley, who has special needs.

Thanks to The Villages’ Family Connection Network program, which supports kinship families, and The Villages Foundation, critical needs were met. Together, they reimbursed the family $800 in out-of-pocket daycare expenses, covered the cost of new eyeglasses and a booster seat, and provided more than $3,100 in daycare support until the childcare voucher was approved.

For Alyssa, a State Eligibility Manager with the State of Indiana, and Johnny, who works in sales, this support was more than financial relief, it was the assurance that they weren’t alone. They could focus on parenting and providing stability, not worrying about how to cover bills while caring for multiple children with high needs.

Ultimately, balancing the needs of their adopted daughter, the kinship placement, and taking in a second infant foster child with special needs became too great. The 4-year-old transitioned to another Villages foster family in the region, where he continues to do well. But through it all, Alyssa and Johnny showed the true heart of fostering: stepping in when children need it most, advocating for reunification, and working alongside birth families whenever possible.

Direct financial assistance made that possible. Without it, the family may not have been able to sustain care during such a critical time. With it, they were empowered to say “yes” to children in need, knowing that donors were behind them every step of the way.

This family’s story is a reminder that fostering doesn’t happen in isolation. It takes a village. And donor generosity makes sure that foster and kinship families have the resources they need to provide safety, stability, and love. Donate today!