Hope for the Future – Meet the Collins Family

When Casey and Katherine Collins welcomed Sarah* and Steven* into their home in 2018, they embarked on a journey – investing time, care, and love into these children – that has transformed them all. 

This past year brought challenges at every turn including Zoom therapy meetings, online school and everything that comes with change for children who have already been through so much. To Katherine and Casey, who fostered two children before Sarah and Steven, it is worth it. “It’s worth the extra appointments, the added stress, the curious stares, the heartbreak, the unknown,” says Katherine. “It is worth building relationships with their families — learning to let go of pride and partnering and supporting their parents.” 

The Collins attend church partner Decatur City Church and have been an amazing example of God’s love and grace, committed to providing a home for these children — no matter how long it is needed. In this case, it is forever. 

They received a call in July informing them that the judge signed off on the paperwork and Sarah and Steven were “officially” part of the family. Rather than a ceremony at a courthouse, they were happy to be able to celebrate together and start this new chapter by taking family pictures in the park. 

We know that Steven, who will stop mid-meal to hug his daddy, and Sarah, who has decorated her online dollhouse with her new family members, have a long road of love, hope, and healing ahead.

“2020 has allowed us to slow down and enjoy more time at home as we settled into the routines of our post-adoption life,” Katherine states. “These kids are worth so much more than whatever might keep you from getting involved in some way with foster care.”