Meet Trina & Aaron Richardson

Several months after Trina and Aaron Richardson tied the knot 28 years ago, Trina asked her husband how he felt about expanding their family through adoption. Although some spouses might need time to consider, Aaron responded positively and without hesitation. 

As a young boy, Aaron experienced several different living situations, due to the passing of both of his parents. He remembers how impressionable he was as a teen, and he wants other children who may be in a similar situation to feel supported. For several years, the Richardsons considered an international adoption. However, they learned they could become foster parents locally and could potentially adopt if a child needed a forever home. 

Trina and Aaron started their foster care journey with the help of their pastor and his wife. Together, they called local agencies looking to start the licensing process. They connected with a local agency and began providing substitute care, or respite care, for foster parents needing a break. The Richardsons fostered several children and became adoptive parents to their two boys – Noah and Seth. Once their sons were adopted, they changed the age range of their license to care for children ages 0-2. 

When the Richardsons foster, they do their best to ensure reunification when the time comes. Trina feels privileged to share her love and encouragement with families experiencing foster care. She encourages the public to look at foster parents as part of a care team – allowing care and safety for the kids. Her family is acting as a line of support so the families of children in foster care can take the time they need to get back on solid footing and welcome their child back home.

For Trina, her work with foster care doesn’t stop at home; she is the coordinator for the Statewide Community and Faith-Based Initiative on Foster Care and Adoption. Trina’s encouragement for prospective foster parents comes from Bishop Aaron Blake of Harvest Family Life. He shared that before you consider fostering, consider your current support network. If you had an 18-month-old child, can you name five people you would trust the child with? If not, begin building out your support network. Becoming a foster parent can be emotionally challenging, and a strong support system is invaluable. 

If you are considering foster care, take Trina’s advice and begin building your support network. The Community and Faith-Based Initiative on Foster Care and Adoption is always looking for community partners and supporters. We also encourage you to contact our team of Foster Care Navigators. They are experienced foster parents who would love to speak with you about your desire to become a foster parent and help you navigate the steps to become licensed.