Local couple opens their home, encourages others to foster or support foster families
By Jennifer Wimmer
Drawing on their experience with nine foster placements since 2021, Adam and Jennifer Morris are urging people who can’t foster to support foster families through respite.
Drawing on their experience with nine foster placements since 2021, Adam and Jennifer Morris are urging people who can’t foster to support foster families through respite.
The Lewisport couple has adopted four children, cares for two who are in foster care with them and is also raising two biological children. They became licensed foster parents in February 2021, and their children are now ages 4, 5, 9, 14, 16, 18, 19 and 20.
Fostering has changed them in beautiful ways, they said. It has stretched their family and has made them better parents and people.
Fostering has changed them in beautiful ways, they said. It has stretched their family and has made them better parents and people.
“We are huge advocates for foster care. I believe wholeheartedly everyone can foster. It has changed our lives tremendously. It has made me a better human and has changed me from the inside out,” Jennifer said. “If you feel it in your heart to foster or adopt, it’s not easy and it is hard work, but it is worth it because if you want to be the change, you have to start with the family, with the home.”
The couple said they realize that not everyone is able to welcome a child into their home, but that anyone can help a foster family in their community. Something as simple as dropping off a meal can mean a lot to families caring for children in foster care.
The couple said they realize that not everyone is able to welcome a child into their home, but that anyone can help a foster family in their community. Something as simple as dropping off a meal can mean a lot to families caring for children in foster care.
“If you can’t foster, be respite,” Jennifer said, explaining that respite providers step in to care for foster children for short periods so foster parents can rest or spend time with other children in the home.
Life in their home, they said, is busy and often chaotic but filled with everyday joys. They like playing board and card games such as Catch Phrase and Monopoly and have regular movie nights. They also spend much of their time at church together.
Life in their home, they said, is busy and often chaotic but filled with everyday joys. They like playing board and card games such as Catch Phrase and Monopoly and have regular movie nights. They also spend much of their time at church together.
With the recent weather, they said the children have had fun playing in the snow. They also love to go on vacation. Taking the children for their first trip to see the ocean has been especially wonderful, they said, and they are thankful for the opportunity.
“It makes all of the chaos worth it,” Jennifer said.
For New Year’s Eve, they decided to do something different and have a fun lip sync battle. The children dressed up and each picked a song, which they said was a lot of fun for everyone.
“It’s not always butterflies and roses. It’s not a highlight reel that you see on social media. You have to take into consideration the trauma and everything they have gone through,” Jennifer said.
Leaning on Christ Jesus helps them tremendously, they said, and they joked that coffee also helps.
The Morrises describe themselves as strong advocates for families and say their first hope is always for children to return safely to their parents. When reunification is not possible, they believe a child who has settled in their home should not be moved to another foster home if they are able to adopt.
For them, that becomes a commitment: If a child cannot go back to their family and is placed with them, they plan to raise that child rather than have the child move again. They said the only reason they would consider ending a placement would be to protect the safety of their other children, something they have not had to do, and they recognize that some foster families must make that difficult decision when safety is at risk.
Adam said many of the children who come into their home have been removed from everything they know as normal and that adjusting to a new home is a daily struggle. He said the child who does not yet understand why things had to change is being asked to live a different way, and that can create friction as they learn new routines and expectations.
The Morrises describe themselves as strong advocates for families and say their first hope is always for children to return safely to their parents. When reunification is not possible, they believe a child who has settled in their home should not be moved to another foster home if they are able to adopt.
For them, that becomes a commitment: If a child cannot go back to their family and is placed with them, they plan to raise that child rather than have the child move again. They said the only reason they would consider ending a placement would be to protect the safety of their other children, something they have not had to do, and they recognize that some foster families must make that difficult decision when safety is at risk.
Adam said many of the children who come into their home have been removed from everything they know as normal and that adjusting to a new home is a daily struggle. He said the child who does not yet understand why things had to change is being asked to live a different way, and that can create friction as they learn new routines and expectations.
“As adults, we all long for belonging. These kids are no different; they long for belonging as well,” he said. “God’s perfect design for their family has been broken, has been pulled apart, and we’re trying to fit molds that we weren’t created to fit. So, we’re just trying to love each other through it and figure it out every day.”
One of their teenaged children came into their home through foster care just before turning 16 and is now 18. When she reached the point where the state offered independent living at 18, she told them she wanted family and wanted to feel part of something and chose to be adopted.
The Morrises said adjusting to a new school, community and home can be one of the most challenging parts for children in foster care. Each move to a different school system means learning how that system works, advocating for services and sometimes discovering that a child has fallen through the cracks in a previous school.
“They have adjusted well,” Jennifer said of their children at Hancock County Schools. She shared that when they went bowling and some Hancock County students were there, her son with special needs walked up to them and they immediately helped him pick out the bowling ball he wanted to bowl with.
One of their teenaged children came into their home through foster care just before turning 16 and is now 18. When she reached the point where the state offered independent living at 18, she told them she wanted family and wanted to feel part of something and chose to be adopted.
The Morrises said adjusting to a new school, community and home can be one of the most challenging parts for children in foster care. Each move to a different school system means learning how that system works, advocating for services and sometimes discovering that a child has fallen through the cracks in a previous school.
“They have adjusted well,” Jennifer said of their children at Hancock County Schools. She shared that when they went bowling and some Hancock County students were there, her son with special needs walked up to them and they immediately helped him pick out the bowling ball he wanted to bowl with.
“The students at Hancock County Schools are top notch. The kids are great with our kids,” she said. “They welcome them.”
One of their children had a difficult time at first but found her place by joining theater. Jennifer said very shy children often have a more difficult time adjusting to new environments and relationships.
They said many children who come through foster care have attended multiple school systems and it’s very challenging for the children. Learning how to advocate for their foster children and navigate through it is very challenging as well.
One of their children had a difficult time at first but found her place by joining theater. Jennifer said very shy children often have a more difficult time adjusting to new environments and relationships.
They said many children who come through foster care have attended multiple school systems and it’s very challenging for the children. Learning how to advocate for their foster children and navigate through it is very challenging as well.
The Morrises said trauma makes adjustment even more difficult for children and that people who have not lived with post-traumatic stress may not realize how much stress is already present for those who have. Sometimes small things that others can easily brush off may be much harder for children living with PTSD because their stress level is always elevated.
“I believe that every teacher, nationwide, needs to be trauma-informed,” Jennifer said. “It’s so helpful to understand that every behavior, good, bad or ugly, a child is trying to communicate to you. It is our job, as adults, to help steer that and guide that.”
“I believe that every teacher, nationwide, needs to be trauma-informed,” Jennifer said. “It’s so helpful to understand that every behavior, good, bad or ugly, a child is trying to communicate to you. It is our job, as adults, to help steer that and guide that.”
Support from local organizations has helped tremendously, the couple said. Borrowed Hearts Owensboro has helped with clothing, beds and high chairs.
When they accepted their first placement of three children and did not have enough beds, Adam recalled calling Borrowed Hearts and having a bed delivered to their front porch within hours.
When they accepted their first placement of three children and did not have enough beds, Adam recalled calling Borrowed Hearts and having a bed delivered to their front porch within hours.
They said the people in their community are very helpful as well and that they are so appreciative of that kindness.
“It takes a village. We could not do what we do without our village. We have an amazing village who will drop dinner off to us randomly, or say you had a tough day let me come get this child, let me take your four littles and you go do something with your big kids,” Jennifer said.
Their path into foster care began with grief in Jennifer’s family. Her sister died in a car accident in 2019 in another state, and her children entered the foster care system there. Adam and Jennifer began working through an interstate process that required them to become licensed foster parents in Kentucky so the two states could coordinate, but her brother-in-law was able to have the children returned to his home.
They continued with foster parent classes and became licensed, and a few months later her brother-in-law died by suicide. By then, they had already taken in three foster placements in Kentucky.
They had to decide whether to have her sister’s children, who had lost both parents, move to Kentucky and leave their schools and friends, or to let them stay in their home state. The couple decided not to bring the children to Kentucky and supported another family member in that state who stepped up to care for them, allowing the children to remain in the same school system and near their friends.
They continued with foster parent classes and became licensed, and a few months later her brother-in-law died by suicide. By then, they had already taken in three foster placements in Kentucky.
They had to decide whether to have her sister’s children, who had lost both parents, move to Kentucky and leave their schools and friends, or to let them stay in their home state. The couple decided not to bring the children to Kentucky and supported another family member in that state who stepped up to care for them, allowing the children to remain in the same school system and near their friends.
They said it was a very difficult decision, but they tried to keep the focus on what was best for the children.
“We still get to play the role of aunt and uncle to my nieces and nephews. It is very tragic, but there is beauty that comes from it,” Jennifer said. “God didn’t design our family to look like it does. When you look at the book of Genesis, God had this huge perfect design and then sin came in, and so our family doesn’t look normal and that’s okay and we are okay with that. They are worth every tear and argument. We are teaching them boundaries and to have respect for themselves. We’re teaching them self-worth and instilling that in them.”
The couple also spoke about how fast their early adoptions happened. Their first three adoptions, from three separate cases, were finalized within about 15 months. They said that pace is uncommon and was a big adjustment for their entire household.
The couple also spoke about how fast their early adoptions happened. Their first three adoptions, from three separate cases, were finalized within about 15 months. They said that pace is uncommon and was a big adjustment for their entire household.
“We are here to love them and guide them. They are the center,” Jennifer said. “They are everything. It is about them.”
Adam and Jennifer have lived in Lewisport their entire lives. Jennifer is a stay-at-home mom, and Adam is a student pastor at Bridgepointe Church in Owensboro. They are celebrating 22 years of marriage this month.
They noted that Hancock County has only a few licensed foster homes and that their family has not taken a new placement in two years because they already have several children at home. They said that reality is one more reason they hope more people will consider becoming foster parents.
If you’re interested in becoming a foster parent, visit foster.ky.gov and fill out the questionnaire to inquire about fostering. You can also send questions by email to [email protected].
Jennifer said there is a Department for Community Based Services office in Hawesville that serves Hancock County. Those who would like to support local foster families through donations can drop off items at the office, and if the items are intended for a specific foster family, staff can note which family they are for and contact them so the family can pick them up there.
Adam and Jennifer have lived in Lewisport their entire lives. Jennifer is a stay-at-home mom, and Adam is a student pastor at Bridgepointe Church in Owensboro. They are celebrating 22 years of marriage this month.
They noted that Hancock County has only a few licensed foster homes and that their family has not taken a new placement in two years because they already have several children at home. They said that reality is one more reason they hope more people will consider becoming foster parents.
If you’re interested in becoming a foster parent, visit foster.ky.gov and fill out the questionnaire to inquire about fostering. You can also send questions by email to [email protected].
Jennifer said there is a Department for Community Based Services office in Hawesville that serves Hancock County. Those who would like to support local foster families through donations can drop off items at the office, and if the items are intended for a specific foster family, staff can note which family they are for and contact them so the family can pick them up there.
