Decatur-Stuyvesant Senior Ctr.
375 Stuyvesant Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11233

Anchor Parent:

• Yolanda Hill

Two years ago, Yolanda Hill, a foster mother from Bedford Stuyvesant didn't have plans to become a foster parent. Already a mother of three ranging in age from 4 to 14, she was brought into the foster care system when her uncle had a baby. Her uncle, along with baby Shatara’s mother, were unable to properly care for their youngster due to psychological issues they were battling. When Yolanda's mother was not considered an option to care for the child, social service workers looked to Yolanda to provide care for the baby. In the interim the baby was being well cared for by a non-kinship foster parent. The judge on the case preferred to have a kinship placement. The interim non-kinship foster parent provided all the necessary details about her observations of the child while in her household. Yolanda, working two jobs, as a home attendant and a movie theater usher, was unsure if she could take on an additional baby. After lengthy soul-searching, she decided that she would trust in the Lord and accept the child into her life.

Upon making sure her home was child safe for an infant, eight-month-old Shatara arrived in her home on Valentines Day. Although she believed that she was making the right decision, she did experience doubts about embarking on such a huge responsibility. Once the child was in her home, an attitude shift in Yolanda occurred. She told her mom, 'Wow, I am a foster mom.' The new baby was a good addition to the household and Yolanda thought she just might be a foster parent for a long time.

In the two years since, there has been change. The child has had behavioral problems, and has been diagnosed with ADHD. She needed speech therapy because she didn't speak at first. She has bitten other kids and pulled their hair. However, with Yolanda love and guidance the child's behavior is improving. Because Shatara's parents have not been complying with what they need to do to have Shatara returned to them, they only have supervised visits once a week for two hours.

A program, YAI, which is an early intervention respite program, has helped Yolanda in the past in caring for the child. For 120 hours, 5 hours a week, 20 hours a month, this program offered Yolanda's 14-year-old daughter, Dominique, an opportunity to baby-sit Shatara. She got paid, which was a great learning experience for her, and at the same time it enabled Yolanda to have some precious free time to attend to her responsibilities and maybe sneak in an occasional a well-deserved break from the rigors of raising Shatara and her other children.

Yolanda considers her story a successful one. She says the little girl and has brought joy to her family. Yolanda relishes the opportunity to see Shatara grow and feels a sense of loyalty fulfilled to her family for taking on this challenge. There is nothing she wouldn't do for her kids that she wouldn't do for Shatara.

Along the way there have been some memorable episodes. One time little Shatara poured water on the couch. When Yolanda asked her why, she replied, 'Because the couch was thirsty.'

Since learning about the Circle of Support program earlier this year, she has discovered others like herself who live in her neighborhood. Her first meeting was so good, that she has kept coming back. She recalls the first meeting had a terrific guest speaker. She brings her kids to meetings and they have a wonderful time playing in the special kids play area.

She appreciates the fact that at meetings people are free to speak and express themselves without feeling like they are being judged. Yolanda believes that a lot of foster parents feel that they are alone, and think that caseworkers only care about compliance and not much about a foster parent's feelings. Circle of Support helps to dispel that perception, and give parents a forum for their feelings to be heard.

Still taking on challenges, Yolanda has become an anchor parent for her neighborhood meeting site. Yolanda has now decided to seek adoption of Shatara. When asked why she recommends being a foster parent, her response is 'because is makes a difference.'

Yolanda Hill can be reached at (718) 596-2035.