Markowski family growing

While she was growing up, Amy Markowski lived with foster kids moving in to her family's house. So she knew a lot about fostering and felt called to follow in her parents' footsteps.

 

She and her husband, Joel, adopted three last week - Marlayshia, 7, Bryson, 3, and Charlynn, 1. They fostered the sibling set since November 2012, so the kids were already adjusted to their home and happy to have more siblings. There are six children in the home now and three others are grown.

 

"We call it organized chaos," Amy says, laughing.

 

She offered this tip for managing such a large household: On car rides, assign seats. That helps cut down on the arguments over who sits next to whom.

 

And the family's about to grow again. Amy is pregnant and due this fall with what will be their tenth child.

 

Hamilton County Job and Family Services now has a way to help foster children make college visits, provide toiletries or toys to abused children and aid low-income families with needs beyond job assistance, food and medical care.

 

For example, the agency might not have funds to cover a foster child's expenses to participate in an after-school sport, wear a cap and gown to graduation or take a trip to visit a college. If that child graduates and finds a good job, that agency cannot help pay for a car or car insurance to see that he or she makes it to that job.

 

Now, the FAMILY Fund gives local residents a way to make tax-free donations to assist in paying for these types of expenses.

  

"I think everyone would agree these types of expenses are important and integral to any child having a normal experience in life," said Hamilton County Commissioner Chris Monzel. "These children come from tough situations; we want to make their lives easier, not harder. We have found a way to help without adding to the taxpayer burden."

 

Go here for more information or to donate online.