Saint Margaret Marys Church
9 - 18 27TH Avenue
Astoria, NY 11102 .

Anchor Parent:

• Minerva Rivera

Minerva Rivera’s journey to becoming a foster parent began when she was just a little girl.

“I always knew that I would do this someday,” said Minerva.
As a child, Minerva was placed in foster care because of an abusive family situation. After seven years in the system, she found refuge in the home of her aunt and uncle. “They saved me,” said Minerva. “They listened to me and gave me a future. I don’t know what I would have done without them.”

Minerva’s childhood experiences inspired the passionate calling of her adult life. She wanted other foster children to know the love that comes from being part of a caring family. In addition to raising her own three daughters, she is a foster and adoptive parent to eight children, ranging in age from two to 18. Her house in Long Island City, NY, is a warm place of joy that these children happily call home.

Minerva recalls how her foster care agency was desperately looking for homes for teenage girls. “I never really thought about caring for teenagers,” she said. “At first I was terrified, but I remembered how it was for me in the system. Adolescence is a special time. Teens especially need love and attention. I talked it over with my girls and we agreed to try it. Now, I can’t imagine my life without them.”

Marquita, age 16, was one of the young girls placed in Minerva’s care. “We do lots of family things together. She always makes it fun,” said Marquita. “She’s the first foster parent I was ever honest with – I guess because I know that as a kid she went through many of the same things I am dealing with now.”

Honest, candid communication is at the heart of Minerva’s success as a foster mom. Every Friday night is “Therapy Night” where the family talks about what happened during the week, discuss how they are feeling and help solve each other’s problems. “Getting teens to sit down and talk to you takes patience and persistence,” said Minerva. “Once they believe you are really there for them, they start to open up and share their emotions.”

Minerva Rivera can be reached at (718) 726-7063.