Nikki began her fostering journey through a kinship placement, when her two grandsons were unexpectedly placed in her care. One day she was a mom of a high school senior, seeing the light at the end of the tunnel to being an "empty nester," and the next day she became a full time grandma to a then 7-year-old and 2.5-year-old. She first learned about Angels through her CPS case worker. She was admittedly a little skeptical about the Love Box Program, unsure of who she would meet and how they would be able to help, but once Nikki was matched with her Love Box Leader Jodie and her boyfriend, they became a huge support system for the family and ultimately played a very positive role in their lives.

Nikki describes Angels and the Love Box program as a "godsend" for her and the boys. Nikki says, "Going through such a difficult time with readjusting, working full-time, and parenting a soon-to-be college freshman, Angels helped me feel appreciated for what I was doing (because as I came to find out, not all grandparents accept this tremendous responsibility of kinship care––an unimaginable thought to me). Angels helped me know I am not alone and that there are many others in the same situation."

Meet the Blake family. They have been in the Love Box program for about a year and recently became a forever family.

Early on in their marriage, Rachel and her husband, John, shared a deep calling to foster. They made the decision not to try for biological children because they felt it would push fostering to the back burner. Their first two placements were a brother and sister, Landon and Avery.

"We had been fostering for roughly five months when the Love Box program came into our lives. It was a Godsend. Even before we were a part of the Love Box family, we went camping and went to a couple of events. I’ve never met people who love their jobs as much as y’all do. That are always smiling. That attract our kids. You guys just love families and come alongside them. So awesome. So beautiful."

“Our Love Box Leaders, Audra and Jesus, are amazing. We just love them to death. They have always gone out of their way to bring coffee or just text and ask, ‘How can I pray for you?’”
 
Through the ups and downs, Rachel shared, “We always felt like if we needed something, we could reach out. We were paired with a wonderful family that genuinely loves us and our kids. I think every family needs someone to come alongside them, walk them through things, pray for them, and pursue them. It’s so difficult during a season when we see the beach, but the waves are crashing around us. Audra and Jesus are the life preserves thrown out to us.”
 
The Blake family has truly experienced a friendship with their Love Box family. They’ve gone to dinner with them, gone over to their house, and met up for coffee. Rachel said that, “We left Audra and Jesus’s house and Landon said, ‘That house is full of love.’ He is only six, but [our kids] notice and see that.”
 
In a recent difficulty, the Blake family felt some of the most intentional care from their Love Box family. “The day before we were supposed to adopt—something went wrong with the paperwork. They called it off. They said we would have to reschedule for a different day. It was really disheartening. Really sad. Audra had come over that afternoon and prayed over me and the situation. Right after she left, I got a text message saying it had officially been canceled. That it was done. And Audra was like--No, God is working in this. It is not done. I am not going to stop praying. We are asking for a miracle. We are going to get a miracle. And we did! I don’t know what happened, other than God, but they ended up accepting our paperwork and it was back on.”
 
On September 27th, John, Rachel, Landon, and Avery became a forever family.

When asked about her experience in the Love Box Program, Nikki replied, “I’m just waiting to stop smiling so I can tell you about them! It’s just lovely that somebody else can help me with the kids just for a little bit. Talk and entertain the kids. The older one is in martial arts, and [Jodie] came to his graduation, and came to his birthday party the other day."

Nikki always knew she wanted her grandkids to remain a part of her family, and after a few years of fostering, she was officially able to adopt them. Jodie and her boyfriend were right there supporting Nikki throughout the adoption process.

"THE LOVE BOX PROGRAM MADE IT A WHOLE LOT EASIER. IT'S NICE TO HAVE SOMEONE WHO CARED ENOUGH AND LISTENED. IT'S WHAT I NEEDED SPECIFICALLY."