How a foster parent changed the lives of 50 teens

Good Morning America
4 Oct 201907:40
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRIn the 'Home Sweet Home' series, we meet Brian, a foster father from Brooklyn, NY, who has provided a home for over 50 teens in the last 12 years. Brian, who works for the Administration for Children Services, recognized the difficulty in placing older foster kids in permanent homes. His approach, offering trust and autonomy, has transformed lives, as seen through the stories of Rome, Gregory, and Dia. They share their experiences, highlighting the profound impact Brian has had on their lives, providing stability and a sense of family that many had never known.

Takeaways
  • 🏡 Brian, a foster father from Brooklyn, New York, has provided a home for over 50 teenagers in the last 12 years.
  • 👨‍👦 Brian works for the Administration for Children Services and noticed that teenagers were the most difficult to place in permanent homes.
  • 👶 There is a preference for fostering younger children, with over 100,000 teenagers in need of homes, as they are often seen as more challenging.
  • 🔑 Brian gives his foster children house keys as a symbol of trust and a sense of belonging, which is unusual in foster care.
  • 🎓 Gregory, one of Brian's foster children, is now in college, an opportunity he credits to Brian's support.
  • 👦 Sha, another foster child, feels that without Brian, he would have been living on the streets.
  • 👨‍👧‍👦 Brian emphasizes the importance of love and trust in his parenting style, something some of his foster children had not experienced before.
  • 👨‍👧‍👦 Brian's foster children refer to him as 'pop', indicating a strong, fatherly relationship.
  • 💡 Brian believes that anyone can make a difference in the foster care system if they are willing to open their home to teenagers.
  • 🙏 The foster children express deep gratitude for Brian's support, trust, and the sense of family he provides.
  • 🎉 The script ends with a surprise reunion where several of Brian's former foster children come to thank him for his impact on their lives.
Q & A

  • What is the new series called that is starting?

    -The new series is called 'Home Sweet Home'.

  • Who is the main subject of the 'Home Sweet Home' series?

    -The main subject is Brian, a foster father from Brooklyn, New York.

  • How many teenagers has Brian fostered in the last 12 years?

    -Brian has fostered more than 50 teenagers in the last 12 years.

  • What is the current situation of the teenagers Brian is fostering?

    -He is currently fostering Rome, Shah, Gregory, and Dia.

  • Why did Brian choose to focus on teenagers in the foster care system?

    -Brian chose to focus on teenagers because they are the hardest to place in a forever home.

  • What is the approximate number of teenagers in need of homes according to the script?

    -Over 100,000 teenagers are in need of homes.

  • What significant item did Brian give to Gregory that symbolized trust and inclusion?

    -Brian gave Gregory a set of house keys, symbolizing trust and inclusion.

  • How has Brian's support impacted Gregory's life?

    -Brian's support has allowed Gregory to enroll in college, something he says wouldn't have been possible without Brian.

  • What does Dia say about his situation without Brian's help?

    -Dia says that without Brian's help, he would be living on the streets.

  • What was the issue Shaa had with previous foster homes that made him feel uncomfortable?

    -Shaa had trouble with the way the rules were structured in previous foster homes.

  • What does Brian believe about the role of foster parents and what advice does he have for those considering it?

    -Brian believes that anyone can fill the need in the system when done the right way. His advice for those considering fostering a teenager is to do it, as one never knows what they have to offer until the child comes into their home.

  • How do the teenagers describe their relationship with Brian?

    -The teenagers describe Brian as a supportive father figure who is always there for them, respects them, and trusts them.

  • What is the emotional significance of the house keys to the teenagers?

    -The house keys are significant as they represent trust, respect, and a sense of belonging that they may not have felt in previous foster homes.

  • What is Brian's motivation for being so passionate about fostering teenagers?

    -Brian's motivation stems from his belief that everyone should have a family and his experience of seeing kids with no place to live, as he had a good home and family growing up.

  • How does the script describe the surprise for Brian at the end?

    -The surprise for Brian is that several of his former foster kids are actually present to express their gratitude and acknowledge the impact he has had on their lives.

Outlines
00:00
🏡 Fostering Hope: The Impact of a Dedicated Parent

This paragraph introduces a heartwarming story about Brian, a foster father from Brooklyn, New York, who has provided a home to over 50 teenagers in the last 12 years. Brian's commitment to the foster care system is highlighted, focusing on the challenges faced by teenagers who are often the hardest to place in permanent homes. The narrative shares personal stories of the teens, like Gregory and Dia, who found stability and hope in Brian's home. The significance of trust and a sense of belonging is emphasized through the symbolic gesture of giving house keys to the foster children, which represents Brian's trust and the opportunity for the teens to rebuild their lives. The summary also touches on the broader issue of the need for homes for over 100,000 teenagers in the foster care system and the emotional bond that Brian has formed with his foster children, who consider him not just a foster dad, but a dad.

05:00
🌟 A Tribute to Unwavering Support: Honoring a Foster Father's Legacy

The second paragraph continues the narrative by delving into Brian's motivation and the profound impact he has had on the lives of the children he has fostered. It showcases Brian's belief that everyone deserves a family and his dedication to providing that for those in need. The paragraph includes a surprise reunion where several of the children Brian has helped come to express their gratitude, highlighting the deep connections formed. The emotional moment is captured as Brian recalls each child's name and the unique ways he has influenced their lives. The summary concludes with a call to action for others considering fostering, encouraging them to make a difference in a child's life, as exemplified by Brian's selfless commitment.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Foster Care
Foster care is a system in which a minor has been placed into a ward, group home, or private home of a state-certified caregiver, referred to as a 'foster parent'. In the video's context, it is the system that provides temporary homes for children who cannot live with their biological parents. The theme revolves around the challenges faced by teenagers within this system, as highlighted by Guy Brian's efforts to provide a stable home for over 50 teens.
💡Foster Father
A foster father is an adult male who has taken on the role of a parent to a child not biologically his own, within the foster care system. Guy Brian is introduced as a foster father from Brooklyn, New York, who has made a significant impact by providing a home for more than 50 teenagers over the last 12 years, emphasizing the importance of his role in their lives.
💡Teenagers
The term 'teenagers' refers to individuals between the ages of 13 and 19. The video focuses on the difficulties faced by this age group within the foster care system, as they are often the hardest to place in permanent homes. The script mentions that over 100,000 teenagers are in need of homes, and the narrative showcases the personal stories of teenagers like Gregory and Dia.
💡Home Sweet Home
This phrase typically conveys the sentiment of a place being comfortable and welcoming. In the context of the video, 'Home Sweet Home' is the title of the series that focuses on the lives of foster children and the challenges they face in finding a stable home. It underscores the emotional journey of these children towards finding a place they can truly call their own.
💡Administration for Children Services
The Administration for Children's Services is an agency that works to ensure the safety and well-being of children in foster care. In the script, it is mentioned that Guy Brian works for this administration, which is where he realized the specific needs of teenagers in the foster care system and was inspired to take action.
💡Forever Home
A 'forever home' refers to a permanent, stable home where a child can grow up safely and be part of a family. The video discusses the difficulty of finding such homes for teenagers in foster care, as many people prefer to adopt younger children. Guy Brian's efforts are aimed at providing these teenagers with a chance at a 'forever home'.
💡Values
In the context of the video, 'values' refer to the principles and standards of behavior that children in foster care may internalize from their various caregivers. The script mentions that children who move from one foster home to another may be exposed to a variety of values, which can impact their sense of stability and identity.
💡Trust
Trust is the confidence in someone or something. In the video, trust is exemplified by Guy Brian giving the teenagers keys to his house, symbolizing his faith in them and their role in the household. This act of trust is a significant factor in building a sense of belonging and security for the foster children.
💡Autonomy
Autonomy refers to the right or condition of self-governance. For the teenagers in the video, autonomy is found in their ability to make decisions within the home, such as when and what to eat, which is a stark contrast to their previous experiences where they may have had restricted freedom, like a locked fridge.
💡Parenting Style
A parenting style refers to the approach a parent takes in raising a child. Guy Brian's parenting style is highlighted as being loving and supportive, similar to any other parent. He consistently communicates his love to the children, which is crucial for their emotional well-being, especially considering some may have never heard they are loved before.
💡Impact
Impact refers to the effect or influence one has on something or someone. The video emphasizes the impact Guy Brian has had on the lives of the foster children he has taken in, not just by providing a home, but by offering emotional support, trust, and a sense of family. The script illustrates this through the personal testimonies of the teenagers he has helped.
Highlights

Brian, a foster father from Brooklyn, New York, has provided a home for over 50 teens in the last 12 years.

Brian works for the Administration for Children's Services and recognized the difficulty in placing teenagers in foster care.

There are over 100,000 teenagers in need of homes, with younger children being more desirable for adoption.

Teenagers in the foster care system often experience instability and receive inconsistent values from multiple caregivers.

Brian opened his home to Gregory when he was 17, providing him with hope and stability.

Gregory received a set of house keys from Brian, symbolizing trust and a sense of belonging.

Gregory is now enrolled in college, an opportunity he attributes to Brian's support.

15-year-old Dior moved in with Brian and feels grateful for the new chance he has been given.

Shaa, another foster child, appreciates the autonomy and sense of family he has found in Brian's home.

Brian's parenting style is loving and consistent, emphasizing the importance of expressing love to the children.

The children refer to Brian as 'pop', indicating a strong and loving relationship.

Brian believes that anyone can make a difference in the foster care system if they do it the right way.

Brian's former foster children express their gratitude for his mentorship and friendship.

The children feel that Brian trusts and respects them, which is evident in his actions and the freedom he gives them.

Brian is passionate about providing homes for children because he has seen the worst outcomes for those without a stable family.

Brian's impact is celebrated with a surprise reunion with several of his former foster children.

Robin Roberts from GMA invites viewers to subscribe to their YouTube channel for more content.

Transcripts

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Foster CareTeenagersFamily ValuesBrooklynNew YorkParentingHopeTrustAutonomyInspirational