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Devereux Arizona foster parents help youth learn, grow in supportive home environment

For more than 10 years, Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health Arizona therapeutic foster parents Keita and Jerry Willis have been providing a loving and nurturing home for youth in need.

The couple began fostering at the encouragement of family members who also foster, and they have never looked back.

“It’s been a great experience,” said Jerry. “I could write a book with all the stories we have from our foster care journey. The kids are always doing or saying something. For us, it’s those little moments that make this a fun ride.”

Keita added, “As long as you provide kids with the support and education they need, advocate for them and stay engaged, they can succeed. It’s amazing to watch them flourish. You take pride in knowing you were part of their progress.”

Lessons learned along the way

The couple, who are currently fostering two children, say being foster parents has taught them how to be flexible, patient and calm.

“Things aren’t always going to go as planned,” Keita shared. “You have to meet the kids where they are and come up with different ways to help them process their feelings. Seeing you react in a calm manner can assist them in learning how to cope and manage their big feelings.”

Jerry explained the ongoing support Devereux provides has helped them on their journey.

“The training works. It helps us deal with situations we witness every day,” he said. “We take classes and can put what we learned into application immediately.”

A lifelong connection

Keita and Jerry say one of the most rewarding parts of fostering is seeing those in their care learn and grow, noting they keep in touch with many of the children they have fostered, as well as their families.

"It’s wonderful – they’ll call and give updates,” Keita shared. “They will ask, ‘It’s my graduation this weekend. Are you going to be there?’ Their parents say, ‘It’s their birthday. Can you come?’ We still have great relationships with a lot of the kids. It’s wonderful to catch up and see how far they’ve come.”

The power of love

The couple say being successful foster parents comes down to one thing.

“You have to have love for the kids,” Jerry said. “You have to treat them as if they were your own.”

Devereux Arizona Executive Director Yvette Jackson, LMSW, DBH, expressed her gratitude to the couple for welcoming children with emotional, behavioral and cognitive differences into their home, “Keita and Jerry are champions, teachers and role models who are making a meaningful difference in the lives of so many children. We want to thank them – and all our foster parents for being a powerful force of healing and hope, and creating loving and supportive environments where those in their care can thrive.”

Learn more about Devereux Arizona’s foster care services, and learn how you can become a foster parent with Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health.

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