Approximately 140 foster parents were recognised last week for their exceptional contributions to children in state care, during a recognition and awards luncheon, being hosted by the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA), at the AC Hotel in St Andrew as the agency marked its 20th anniversary.
As of December 31, 2024, there were 4,624 children in the care of the state which represents a decrease of 0.7 per cent when compared with the period ending September 30, 2024. Of these children, 59 per cent are living in familial environments (supervision order, foster care, family reintegration). whereas 41 per cent are living within children’s homes and places of safety.
Today, the CPFSA specially awarded Lilla Sterling, an 87-year-old lady, who dedicated years to nurturing and fostering troubled children who needed love and guidance. Throughout her decades of service, she has fostered two girls, named Danielle Grant, who accompanied her at the awards, and Patricia Martin, who are currently still residing with her and caring for her in her old age.
Sterling recalled beginning her foster care journey unexpectedly.
She said her first time fostering a child began when a friend told her to watch over a child temporarily.
“They came to me and said, ‘Keep this child for a day’ and, up to now, the day hasn’t come,” she said, laughing as she reminisced. That child was, of course, Grant. She said that, at the time, Grant was only two years old, when she was left under Sterling’s care, with a promise that a social worker would return when he found somewhere for her to stay. However, he never returned, so Sterling took on the lifelong responsibility of caring for Grant like her own daughter.
Over the years, Sterling has taken many children into her home, fostering two children and caring for others temporarily during the summer. She was dedicated to providing them with a safe and loving home, despite the challenges that came with them.
Grant showed her appreciation for Sterling, saying she offered her unwavering support and made sure she was well taken care of daily, providing her with schooling funds especially when times were hard.
REFLECTION
“I wasn’t able to express myself verbally, but more so in a tantrum. So I took it out in different ways but, even so, she didn’t beat me. She always came to me and spoke to me,” said Grant. She also said Sterling often asked her what was on her mind and how she was feeling and this helped her to improve her expression.
As she reflected on the ways Sterling has helped her, Grant described one of the most touching moments with Sterling that she keeps close to her heart.
“It was my high school graduation. She [almost] couldn’t make it because she couldn’t walk. She couldn’t stand up but she was there and she was present and that stood out to me,” she said. For Grant, this moment was particularly special as she was reminded that her biological mother was unwilling to take on the responsibility of caring for her. However, Sterling, she said, made the effort and she deeply appreciates her for that.
Many of the children Sterling kept in her care went on to pursue successful careers with Grant pursuing a career in social work. She said she hopes to join the CPFSA soon so she too can inspire the lives of other children.
Sterling also spoke of her second foster daughter, Patricia Martin. Martin, she said, came to her with impaired vision.
“Almost every month I had to come to Kingston to take her to the eye doctor until the eyes finally went so she’s permanently blind now. So that’s one of the challenges I had, finding the money to carry her to the eye doctor.”
At the time, Sterling persisted despite facing financial issues with a stipend of only $4,000 in her earlier years as a foster parent. Sterling remained steadfast in her mission and now encourages other people to give foster care a chance.
However, she appeals to potential foster parents saying, “If you can do it try it but don’t ill-treat the children. That’s one thing I never did.”
Meanwhile, Senator Dr Dana Morris Dixon, minister for education, skills, youth and information, acknowledged the struggles and responsibilities foster parents face, speaking at the awards ceremony.
“The budget is tight but that’s something we have to work through because it is not cheap taking care of these children. I know you dig into your pockets to take care of them. There are a lot of expenses.”
Morris Dixon noted that she too is a foster parent and voiced that she shared the sentiment around dealing with expenses such as taking care of special needs children, which many of the awardees could relate to.
She also commended the awardees and their contribution to the nation’s development.
“Our country is very much in debt to all of you who, day after day, take in children who are not your biological children, children who have been abandoned, who have lots of issues to deal with. And you make them feel better about themselves and help them to truly be good citizens in our country, that you deserve everything that you’re getting today and so much more.”
AWARDEES PRAISED
At the end, she reassured the awardees of their importance and lauded them for their continued service.
“I pray that God will cover you with his grace, that you will continue to do his work and lead his children.”
Additionally, CPFSA CEO Laurette Adams-Thomas referred to the foster parents as ‘unsung heroes in Jamaica’s society’. She emphasised the importance of love as a key builder in the relationships between foster parents and children.
“Love is the foundation upon which your service rests. Love is what allows a frightened child to find comfort in your embrace. Love is what transforms uncertainty into stability. And love is what gives children in need the chance to grow and to thrive.”
Thomas acknowledged that fostering is not without its challenges but emphasised its immense reward.
“Fostering is a noble calling, but you know it’s not always so easy. It requires patience, it requires strength, and it requires an unwavering belief in the potential of every single child, regardless of their ability or disability.”
She further added that the CPFSA is immensely grateful for the foster families that are a part of the national flagship programme, stepping up and filling the gap for the agency, bringing about a positive change in the lives of children in need of care and protection.
“This function is a token of our appreciation, because we cannot truly repay our foster parents for their selflessness, their sacrifice and commitment to shaping the young lives of children entrusted in their care,” said Adams-Thomas.
