Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.
Southwest Florida woman plays role in raising 100 kids
Southwest Florida woman has played role in raising 100 kids. She is a foster parent and has been doing it for 22 years.
By
WINK News
Story Created:
Dec 28, 2007 at 7:17 PM EDT
Story Updated:
Dec 28, 2007 at 7:51 PM EDT
LEE COUNTY, Fla - If you're a parent, you know how challenging raising kids can be. Now, imagine having played a role in raising one hundred different children!
"I just love my children. I love being a part of their growth and development," said Fran Jennings.
Love that Jennings has shown for one hundred foster children in Fort Myers. Since 1985, Jennings - along with her husband - have been there with open arms.
"Once you have children, you want to help another one. So if you got 2, I can stretch it to 3, or I can stretch it to 4," said Jennings.
But not only is Jennings a foster parent, she is a medical foster parent. Caring for kids with different physical problems.
"For our program she truly is a God send. I mean, she has gone above and beyond. Takes the most fragile children," said CMS social worker, Selena Cordes.
"You go to bed very tired, but you wake up ready and willing to do it again," said Jennings.
Fran keeps an album with dozens of pictures of the children that have walked through her doors. In it - the names, times they've spent in her care, and date of births.
The foster parent says she still keeps in touch with many of her kids - with phone calls, pictures, even letters. But Jennings would hardly call herself a God send.
"I feel like anybody could do what I do, if they wanted to," she said.
Perhaps - but some would argue that no one can do it quite like Jennings.
"It's a very hard job, but she makes it look easy," said Cordes.
Jennings says she'll continue to foster kids for as long as she's able to. She currently has three children in her care, and soon one will be adopted. Then, Jennings is set to start caring for a four-month-old.