Fresno foster parents inspire others to join Aspiranet in its mission to care for youth in need

FRESNO, Calif. - April 11, 2016 - PRLog -- A chance encounter at a yard sale hosted by Jeri and Steve Wagner of Clovis changed the course of their lives forever.

After becoming acquainted with a retired couple who shared their story about foster parenting and caring for six foster youth, Jeri knew after that meeting that she and her husband were meant to embark on asimilar journey. Ten years later, Jeri and Steve are still fostering children through local foster care agency Aspiranet, and throughout their experience as foster parents, they have made lasting connections with several of the youth they've mentored and cared for.

The Wagners have a fondness of caring for and mentoring older foster youth - a group that is often overlooked when parents begin the foster care process. "Too often foster teens are turned away for placement, and it's not fair. They're great kids who have experienced a lot of hurt and pain in their lives and don't know how to move past it. I want to show them that there is a better life beyond the pain," explains Jeri .Today, the Wagners care for four older youth, who range in age from 13 - 21.

The Wagners, who are active in their church, have also inspired several church members to become foster and adoptive parents. "Our fellow church members have really been supportive of our mission to help foster youth; I believe there have been at least 20 families who have become foster and adoptive parents," said Jeri.

In California, more than 50,000 children are in foster care. Aspiranet sees a growing demand for its array of innovative services. Since the leading statewide human services agency's inception more than 40 years ago, Aspiranet has evolved to offer a continuum of care framework for families and youth. Aspiranet's unique approach requires that foster children are individually evaluated and assessed prior to family placement. Once placement occurs, foster parents receive comprehensive compulsory training, in-depth educational programs, one-on-one counseling and ongoing 24/7 support and guidance.

"In 2015, we placed 10% of allchildren and teens referred into safe and loving foster families, but we know that on any given day, at least 3,000 more young people in California are waiting for a foster family to call their own who will be with them during life's special moments," said Diane Warne, Aspiranet Foster Care Director.Warne was referring to the non-profit's current campaign to recruit important new homes for youth, Life's Special Moments. The campaign seeks to remind the public that by providing a loving home for youth, especially teens, you can enhance your life by sharing life's special moments with youth that deserve them and the joy they bring.

For more information on Aspiranet's Life's Special Moments campaign, visit Aspiranetfamilies.org (http://www.aspiranetfamilies.org/).

About Aspiranet

Aspiranet, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) strengthens children, youth, families and communities through seven core programs including: Foster Care, Adoption, Residential, Transition Age Youth, Behavioral Health, Intensive Home Based Services and Family and Community Services throughout 45 locations within California.

Founded in 1975 as a six-bed group home for young boys in Moss Beach, Calif., Aspiranet is one of the most diverse nonprofit social service agencies in the state. With a statewide network of innovative services, Aspiranet serves more than 10,000 families each year. For more information, please visit www.aspiranet.org.