Where Love Makes Room: A Foster Care Journey

Brad and Sarah Feyen have discovered that the most meaningful moments in foster care often come from the plans you never expected.

Brad and Sarah Feyen, HopeTree Foster Parents

By Hope Smith | July 27, 2026

Brad and Sarah Feyen have been a foster parents with HopeTree since 2022, and throughout that time they have consistently demonstrated what it means to foster with open hearts and unwavering commitment. They have welcomed a variety of school-aged children into their home, creating a calm, nurturing environment where children feel safe, valued, and loved.

The Feyens intentionally include the children in the everyday moments. Whether they’re gardening, feeding the chickens, picking berries, cooking meals together, or baking in the kitchen, Brad and Sarah believe that belonging is built through shared experiences and meaningful connection.

When they first became foster parents, Sarah was working as a school teacher. As their fostering journey unfolded, she felt called to dedicate herself fully to caring for the children in their home and made the decision to leave teaching to become a stay-at-home parent.

Although the Feyens initially envisioned fostering primarily school-aged children, their journey took an unexpected turn in 2024–2025. They said “yes” to a newborn placement shortly after finding out they were expecting their first biological child, whom they welcomed just a few months later. More recently, they once again opened their hearts by accepting placement of another newborn, who is the biological sibling of their current foster son. Today, Brad and Sarah are joyfully raising three boys under the age of two. While that undoubtedly brings busy days, sleepless nights, and plenty of chaos, they remain firmly rooted in their calling, meeting each day with remarkable patience, grace, flexibility, and unconditional love.

Their support extends far beyond the children placed in their care. The Feyens have also been strong advocates for biological families and have embraced the goal of reunification whenever appropriate. In one particularly meaningful example, they maintained a positive relationship with the biological mother of a child who reunified, and they continued to welcome that child back into their home for playdates. Their ability to love children while also supporting their families is a beautiful reflection of the heart of foster care.

The Feyens remind us that foster care is not simply about opening the door to your home; it’s about opening your heart. Their willingness to embrace the unexpected, support biological families, and faithfully love every child entrusted to their care has made a lasting impact. We are incredibly grateful for Brad and Sarah’s servant hearts, and for the difference they continue to make in the lives of the children they serve. 

Opening Their Door, Changing the Lives of Children in Foster Care

How the Jefferson Family Shows Up for Families

The Jeffersons at the Beach

By Pam McGraw | April 24, 2026

For nine years, the Jeffersons have been a quiet, steady force within our agency – an anchor of compassion, resilience, and unwavering dedication. Families like theirs don’t simply support children; they transform lives. And from the very beginning, the Jeffersons have done exactly that.


They understand trauma not as a concept in a training class, but as something that shows up in the small moments of a child’s day – in the hesitations, the outbursts, the silence, the guarded hope. And in each of those moments, they meet children with empathy and intention. Whether it’s offering a reassuring presence after a hard day or celebrating the smallest sign of progress, their care is thoughtful and deeply informed.


When respite is needed, they step in without question, offering relief and stability. When trainings or agency events arise, they make the effort to attend – always striving to learn more, grow more, and become an even stronger support for the children who walk through their door.


But what truly sets the Jeffersons apart is their openness. They welcome guidance. They embrace learning curves. And, perhaps most remarkably, they consistently say “yes” to children whose behaviors or histories make placement more challenging. Their love is genuine, their patience steady, and their belief in each child’s worth unmistakable.


Some of our hardest-to-place children have found safety, structure, and hope with the Jeffersons – because this family opens their home with intention and their hearts without hesitation.
We are deeply grateful for the impact they have made, and continue to make, in the lives of so many children within our HopeTree family.