Photo credit Paige Dingler, The News and Advance
Sheltering Hearts
You’re the reason this family and these children are thriving in a loving home.
“Irvin is the heartbeat of our program because he has been with me pretty much since the beginning, and he never turned down a child,” Executive Director and Program Director of Foster Care at HumanKind, Jamie Creasy said. “And what’s so wonderful about him is that when a child leaves, whether they turn 18 and choose to leave or they’re returned back home because the court sees fit, he stays in touch with all of them.”
Irvin and Teesha Ward have been foster parents through HumanKind since 2012. After fostering 47 children, adopting seven, and having three biological children of their own, the Wards were about to ask for a break from fostering. But when a call came in asking them to take a sibling group of four severely malnourished and neglected non-verbal children, how could they say no.
In spring of 2021, HumanKind received a call for a sibling group placement of four children ages 3, 2, 1, and 4 months – all severely malnourished. Child Protective Services (CPS) had responded to a call for a domestic violence allegation and were investigating. Before entering the home, CPS did not know there were children living there. By chance, CPS saw evidence of children and began asking to see them. The children’s severe malnourished state took them straight to the hospital and eventually to specialists at Virginia Commonwealth University medical center.
The Wards didn’t even hesitate. They agreed to foster all four siblings, providing the love and care they so desperately needed. The children had suffered unimaginable traumas and needed extensive care. After leaving the hospital began a grueling routine of appointments with doctors, specialists and therapists in Lynchburg and Charlottesville. Visits to neurology, developmental clinic, occupational therapy, speech therapy, physical therapy, infant and toddler therapy took place multiple times a week for all of the children.
With early screenings, they learned that three of the children have an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis and will be able to have specialized interventions tailored to their specific needs including social communication, language development, and behavioral challenges.
Under Irvin and Teesha’s dedicated care, the children began to thrive. With patience and persistence, they helped them overcome their communication challenges, and they slowly started to express themselves. Day by day, their progress was evident, as they became more confident, playful, and happy. Their once sad faces transformed into radiant smiles, and their resilience touched everyone around them.
“They really are 360-degree support to these kids. They are truly special people.” – Foster Care Case Worker, Essence Pennix
Moved by the incredible bond they had formed with the children; the Wards made the life-changing decision to adopt all four of them. They now share a loving and nurturing family environment, where they continue to make amazing progress in their physical, emotional, and cognitive development. The Ward’s selflessness and unwavering dedication have not only changed the lives of these children but also served as an inspiration to many in the community. All four children have officially become Ward’s after a successful adoption on June 1, 2023.
“They didn’t have anybody who would step up, so it was just really sad,” Teesha said. “We were like we have to help them and not have them split up and not have them be in the system.”
The Wards were one of HumanKind’s first approved foster families. Through the years, they have provided a nurturing environment for numerous children, regardless of age or background and were always willing to foster teenagers, one of the most needed placements in Virginia. They believed in the importance in taking in teenagers and made time to work with each of them to learn a trade or skill that they could take with them no matter where they went in life.
Irvin and Teesha are now officially retired as foster parents – with a full house of eight children living under their roof from ages 3-17, Irvin simply shared with a smile, “We don’t have any more bedrooms.”
“You just try to love the children the way you would want to be loved if you were in that situation,” Teesha shared.
You transformed the lives of these four young children. Without you, they would have had a very different journey through crisis. Every day there are children, who need someone to stand for them. Because of you and your support, help and resources are ready and waiting for a child in need.
Learn more about HumanKind Foster Care at HumanKind by visiting here.