In 2006, I was watching television and an ABC News with Diane Sawyer special, titled Crisis in America’s Foster-Care System, caught my attention. The show concluded with this question: “Do you have room in your home (to help children in need)?” Those words stuck with me.

Until that point, I hadn’t really set out to become a foster parent. As a single man, I was leading a pretty content life all on my own as a dean at Seminole State College. Most of my free time was spent sailing, rock climbing, or competing in regattas. But I knew something was missing… and I was ready to answer the question posed through my TV. It wasn’t long before I enrolled in the foster-parent training program offered by Community Based Care of Central Florida, a nonprofit that envisions a world in which every child has a safe, loving, and nurturing home – free from abuse, neglect, and abandonment. As our region’s leading child welfare organization, Community Based Care serves more than 3,000 kids each day through foster care, adoption, mentoring, and independent living support, along with resources that strengthen and empower families.

Since then, I’ve taken in 18 teenage boys for various spans of time. I’ve adopted five of them, thus far, including a homeless student that I had mentored at Seminole State. And, the adoption of one more foster teen is currently in progress. Three of my adoptive sons still live at home, while two have grown up and moved away, leaving room for other children in foster care to become part of our family. Each of these young individuals is treated equally, and I refer to all of them as “my kids” and try to help them in any way that I can.

Helping Boys Grow into Men

Around our house, there’s plenty of time for fun activities like basketball, video games, going out to eat, family vacations, and even sailing in the occasional regatta. But each young man is also tasked with staying on top of responsibilities like academic grades, curfews, and keeping a clean room.

After nearly a decade now as a foster parent, I know firsthand that children who have been removed from their families of origin need a stable, caring environment that will help them heal from abuse or neglect and, thus, that remains my goal. I’ve also learned that being a foster parent comes with a unique set of challenges. Teaching teens that their actions have consequences – positive and negative – is a key lesson in the Pawlowski household. Despite my best intentions, I can’t control outcomes. It’s ultimately up to each kid to take charge of his own life and make healthy choices. All I can do is provide a generous dose of love, encouragement, and guidance.

What really makes being a parent rewarding, though, is when I see my kids do typical things like improve their grades, get part-time jobs, and build relationships with new friends. Being a father to these boys has been a life-changing experience ─ for all of us. When I see them smiling and talking about how happy they are (now), that’s the best feeling in the world!

Foster Parents Needed for Teen Boys

On any given day, about 90-100 teenage boys are in foster care across Orange, Seminole, and Osceola counties. These adolescents need more people who will open their hearts and their homes. One of the reasons that I wanted to help this particular group is that relatively few foster parents volunteer to house teenage boys. However, I suppose, as a former residence hall manager at several colleges, one might say I have unique experience with this demographic. I don’t mind presiding over what others might view as a chaotic situation and, frankly, I enjoy mentoring young people. Plus, everyone I know – regardless of age or background – wants to be part of a family. And being part of a family gives kids the confidence and support they need to become successful adults.

I realize that hundreds of people across Central Florida might be in the same position that I was years ago… thinking about a way to help vulnerable children but not sure how to do so. Contact Community Based Care of Central Florida for information about becoming a foster parent and their many programs. After a 10-week training class and authorization period, most people are ready (and eager) to foster within a few months. From there, the joy is forever etched on your heart! Simply ask yourself, “Do you have room in your home?” The answer just might be the first step in transforming your life and the lives of children in need.

Want to learn more about becoming a foster and/or adoptive parent? Visit Community Based Care of Central Florida’s at ProtectAndInspire.org or call (866) 902-4453.