Meet Maggie Broussard, one of the 65 currently active Crossroads NOLA families that collectively have cared for 133 children in foster care in the first half of 2019 alone! Since she was certified in October 2017, Maggie has been a fierce advocate of the kids that are – or have been in – her care. At the beginning of the summer, the two girls Maggie was fostering were transitioning into adoptive families, and Maggie planned to take a break from fostering for the summer. But there was one exception: L, a little boy who had been with her the previous fall. And at the beginning of the summer, he walked back through her door – with his older brother in tow.

Maggie has been dedicated to caring for these two boys all summer, helping them to navigate every challenge that arises. School has been one of those challenges – adjusting to Kindergarten has been hard for L . But Maggie recently shared a big WIN with us: She received a note from his teacher, who has been using TBRI techniques Maggie shared with her. According to the teacher, L “continued to remain calm when things did not go his way or as he expected.” The teacher ended the note with this: “I think with our teamwork and care he is going to grow and do some great things this year in Kindergarten.” Because he has a loving and equipped foster mom to advocate for his needs, L is being empowered to have a happy and successful year in Kindergarten. Maggie and his teacher are working together to build and strengthen the foundation of his education and his future, helping him to overcome trauma and thrive.

Children like L need more loving caregivers like Maggie. Learn more about how you can become a foster parent here.