Eric and Angela Hurd started fostering youth 25 years ago in Hawai‘i with a desire to give back to their community. They have since fostered more than 200 youth in and out of the system, ranging in age from infancy to 18 years old, and became guardians for four youth.
Now some of the first youth they fostered at age 3 are nearly 30. Some of them still call or stop by to check in and talk story.
“I was formerly fostering under the Department of Human Services, and I was referred by one of my friends to Hale Kipa,” she said. “They provide a lot of support, including having staff and therapists on call, as well as staff who come to work with the youth in the home.”
Angela also works with the Hawai‘i community service organization PATCH (People Attentive to Children), which assists families with their child care needs. She provides respite care for military families, assisting special needs children in their homes. Her faith is an important part of what drives her to participate in the Transitional Family Homes Program, she said.
“Every child who comes to you has many needs, and it is your job to figure out what does this kid need right now,” Angela said. “You have to have a lot of compassion and a lot of patience, and be willing to advocate for them. And a lot of love.”
She has a detailed calendar on her phone with reminders to help her juggle work and foster duties. This includes handling reports and paperwork for each youth, accounting for any medication they may need, coordinating staff and family visits, and scheduling dental, therapy, and doctor appointments.
“Everyone knows what they are supposed to do – they help remind me sometimes,” she said.
In addition, Angela makes time to plan vacations, such as Disney cruises, to help create lifetime memories for the youth.
