The Gaithers: Leading FaithBridge's Foster Children to the Right Home

The FaithBridge Foster Care community is filled with people whose support and dedication help us place foster children into loving homes. This is the story of one special family, the Gaithers, who run our assessment home.

For two and half years, Scott and Sandi Gaither worked as youth pastors in a place some of us can only dream of visiting - Hawaii. But island living was anything but a paradise for the family as they found themselves working around the clock to keep up with the high cost of living.

"When the economy took a dive, we began working crazy hours to keep ourselves afloat," said Scott. "I'm a real beach person and we love the water but our family life was deteriorating. With Sandi gone all the time, I began to realize how important family was."

While they were in Hawaii, the Gaithers had kept in touch with Larry Grawey, one of FaithBridge Foster Care's consultants, who told them that FaithBridge was looking for a family to run the assessment home.  In order to return to the mainland, they would have to sell most of their belongings, so having the opportunity to move into the assessment home seemed perfect. "It was an answer to our prayers," said Scott.  

FaithBridge Foster Care's assessment home serves as a temporary placement for foster children who are waiting for a foster home to become available or who are expected to return to their biological families within a short period of time. When children come into the assessment home, Scott and Sandi evaluate their behavior and emotional state so that FaithBridge can make a determination on what type of home will best suit their needs.

"The hardest part is that you have them a short time and get attached to them," said Scott. "We've loved every kid that's come into the home regardless of the behaviors."

Scott met one child while transporting her to a respite home and felt such a strong connection that when the respite home placement didn't work out he asked FaithBridge if she could be placed with them. She's now with the Gaithers at the assessment home until she goes to college.

While Scott and Sandi are thrilled to be able to help ensure foster children are placed in the right foster home, they initially had concerns about how their own children would handle the new environment. However, Scott believes Sandi's spiritual guidance helps both the foster children and their own children manage "My wife is incredible with devotions and prayer," said Scott. "When the foster kids go to other placements, they take that spiritual devotion with them. When I see other foster parents, they always talk about the prayer times with Sandi. What better way to disciple kids."

In addition to running the assessment home, Scott is also ministering to biological parents in a role that he hopes might expand in the future. He enjoys having kids and visiting with the parents because he feels it allows him to better assess the entire situation.  

"It's the hardest ministry I've ever done," said Scott. "But it's the most rewarding because you're changing lives."