Virginia
Virginia family’s foster care journey leads to adoption: ‘Your kids may already be out there’
Hello.
I’d like to talk to you about your car’s extended warranty! (jokes)
May is National Foster Care Awareness month, and with it coming to an end, I’d thought I would share my family’s foster story.
My wife, Erin, and I always thought we would probably have some kiddos at some point and we kicked around the idea of adopting rather than making them the old fashioned way. I pulled a number off a flyer at Demolition Coffee in Petersburg while I was shooting a story down that way. Next thing you know, we were signed up for classes and a nice lady came to our house and we worked through the course to become certified by the state of Virginia to be foster parents. And if they let ME do it, anyone can do it.
Our first placement came in the Spring of 2017, a spritely nine year old boy who liked video games and heavy metal. He was in our home for just a couple months before he left. That was very hard. He is still in the foster care system waiting for a forever home and every once in a while I check the website and still see him there, it breaks my heart.
After him, we did respite care for these two sisters who were around 10, 11, 12 year old. They were delightful and we got along with them very well and at one point it looked like we were going to adopt them. So we got our house all ready and we started nesting and preparing for the rest of our lives with them, and that all fell through. Another heartbreaking moment, but their foster family ended up adopting them which is really fantastic.
We took a little time to heal our hearts after that but eventually we got that phone call that foster families get. A nine year old girl and her 18 month old little brother. We met them and I remember the boy was playing with toys and the girl was coloring. Erin tells the story that when we first saw them in the waiting room of the Department of Social Services, she knew those were her kids and that she knew she was going to be their Mommy.
So we watched them one weekend. Went to the VMFA. And then one day we picked them up and the rest of our lives began. They moved in and we got used to each other and there they were; we had kids! They eventually became eligible for adoption and about 15 months later we went before a judge and they took our last name and our family was complete. Those are our kids. It’s now 2023, they’re 14 and six.
Provided to WTVR
It’s a strange thing to think about but, I always tell people who are thinking of having kids; your kids may already be out there. Our kids were already out there and they were just waiting for us and we were waiting for them.
The need out there is almost unfathomable with 700 to 1,000 kids in Virginia eligible for adoption right now! Through no fault of their own. They did not ask to be born into the situation that brought them to where they are. They did not ask for this trauma. This is where it takes a village. This is where community comes in.
Provided to WTVR
If you’re thinking about being a Mommy or being a Daddy, there are children out there who would love to call you Mommy, would love to call you Daddy. They need someone to let them know that they’re safe, they’re loved, they’re cared for and that they matter. Maybe you’re a little older and your kids have moved out and you have a couple empty bedrooms. There are teenagers who would love to occupy those rooms and be a part of your family. They’re out there and they’re waiting for you.
Provided to WTVR
I couldn’t imagine my life without my kids. Almost on a daily basis, the six year old will say something and Erin will turn to me and say “that’s your kid.”
Your children may already be out there. Consider being a foster parent. Consider fostering to adopt.
OK. That’s my pitch. Thanks for coming to my TED Talk!
Visit FosterVA.comfor more information.
Local News
CBS 6 shares voices from Richmond’s foster care community
5:38 PM, May 24, 2023
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It’s the final day of the Battle 4 Atlantis and the West Virginia Mountaineers are hoping to leave the Bahamas with a third-place finish in the event. Winning the whole thing would have been extremely impressive considering the field, but Darian DeVries’ squad has already notched a key resume-building win over Gonzaga and can do so again today against No. 24 Arizona.
Here are my picks for today’s game. Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.
1 Star – Not very confident
2 Star – A little confident
3 Star – Fairly confident
4 Star – Very confident
5 Star – Should be a lock to happen
3-star play on Arizona (-6.5): This is a really tough matchup for the Mountaineers playing its third game in three days. When these two meet later in the year, I believe WVU will put together a much stronger showing and potentially even win the game. Not there, though.
The Wildcats have a nine-man rotation, which occasionally will be a ten-man. WVU’s key players have logged a ton of minutes over the last two days, with both games going to overtime. As evidenced in yesterday’s game, if the Mountaineers face serious foul trouble, it impacts them more than most teams due to a lack of depth. Amani Hansberry should be able to produce a third straight big game, but if he starts picking up fouls left and right, WVU will be in trouble. Arizona’s guard-heavy lineup will attack and finish around the rim with ease.
I’ve got the Wildcats pulling away with a strong second half.
1-star play on the under: Arizona is a high-scoring team that likes to push the tempo. They’ve averaged 67 field goal attempts in this tournament, whereas WVU has attempted 59 and 63 in games that went to overtime. For West Virginia to win, they’re going to have to slow things down when they have the ball, much like they did in the opening-round game against Gonzaga.
I mentioned fatigue setting in as a possibility in the WVU-Louisville game yesterday, and although Darian DeVries isn’t using that as an excuse, you can tell it played a factor for both teams, especially in the first half. Both squads looked sloppy, slow, and disjointed. I seriously doubt WVU and Arizona will have an extra bounce in their step today, playing for the third time in three days and in a game deciding who takes home third place.
ATS: 3-3 (50%)
O/U: 4-2 (66%)
Overall: 7-5 (58%)
Odds Disclaimer
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.
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Can West Virginia Finish Strong? ESPN FPI Reveals Chances to Beat Texas Tech
A Virginia woman has been arrested and charged in connection with a murder-for-hire plot, according to the Henry County Sheriff’s office.
Gennevieve McGhee, 44, was allegedly captured via audio and video evidence in the meticulous planning of a murder for hire, the sheriff’s office said.
McGhee is accused of meeting with a confidential source at her residence in Ridgeway, Virginia. The source was acting under law enforcement direction and utilizing a recording device to capture evidence.
TEXAS INFLUENCER SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS IN PRISON FOR MURDER-FOR-HIRE PLOT
Henry County Sheriff’s Office charged Gennevieve McGhee, 44, with criminal solicitation of murder following an investigation that revealed her alleged involvement in planning a murder for hire. (Henry County Sheriff’s Office)
She allegedly discussed detailed instructions on payment arrangements and instructions for carrying out a robbery and murder.
McGhee is charged with criminal solicitation of murder and conspiracy to commit a felony.
INDIAN INTELLIGENCE OFFICIAL CHARGED IN MURDER-FOR-HIRE PLOT ON SIKH SEPARATIST LEADER IN NEW YORK CITY
Gennevieve McGhee, 44, is charged with criminal solicitation of murder and conspiracy to commit a felony. (iStock)
McGhee was taken into custody by deputies from the Henry County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday and is being held at the Henry County Adult Detention Center with no bond.
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The case remains under review by the Henry County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office.
Additional information on the case is not available at this time, officials said.
The West Virginia Mountaineers (4-2) will meet the No. 24 Arizona Wildcats in the third place game of the Battle 4 Atlantis midseason tournament for the sixth meeting between the two programs.
West Virginia vs. Arizona Series History
Arizona leads 2-3
Last Meeting: March 28, 2008 (NCAA Tournament) WVU 75-65
When: Friday, November 29
Location: Paradise Island, Bahamas, Imperial Arena (3,900)
Tip-off: 3:00 p.m. EST
Stream: ESPN2
Announcers: Beth Mowins and Debbie Antonelli
Radio: Tony Caridi (PBP), Brad Howe (analyst) Mountaineer Sports Network from Learfield IMG College(Radio affiliates)
WVU Game Notes
– West Virginia was scheduled to play in the 2020 Battle 4 Atlantis. The tournament was moved to Sioux Falls, S.D., due to COVID, and the Mountaineers won the renamed Bad Boy Mowers Crossover Classic.
– WVU is 45-16 in in-season tournaments since 2007.
– With a win over No. 3 Gonzaga, WVU defeated a Top 5 AP team for the second consecutive season. Last season, the Mountaineers downed No. 3 Kansas in Morgantown, 91-85.
– Prior to the overtime win over No. 3 Gonzaga, WVU had lost six straight overtime games.
– This is WVU’s fourth trip outside the United States and Puerto Rico to play a regular season game. WVU played in Cancun in 2013 and 2019 and opened the season in Germany in the 2017 Armed Forces Classic.
– West Virginia is the only team in the country that has two players on the same team who averaged more than 20 points per game from last season — Tucker DeVries (21.6 ppg) and Jayden Stone (20.8 ppg)
– West Virginia is 201-55 against nonconference teams in regular season games in the last 21 seasons.
– The Mountaineers have posted a winning nonconference record in 31 of the last 32 seasons.
– WVU is 265-99 in its last 362 games against unranked teams, including winners of 148 of its last 180 at the WVU Coliseum.
– This is the 116th season and 122nd year overall for WVU basketball, which began in 1903.
– Darian DeVries, who led Drake to six consecutive 20-win seasons and has a career .731 winning percentage as a head coach, was named the 23rd head men’s basketball coach at West Virginia University on March 24, 2024.
– DeVries has a record of 154-57 (.731) in seven seasons as a head coach, including a 59-16 (.787) mark in the last two-plus seasons.
– This past August, the men’s basketball team went to Italy for a 10-day tour and won all three of its games against international competition.
– West Virginia returns just 2.8 percent of its scoring from last season’s team (Ofri Naveh).
– The Mountaineers are led by a pair of transfers in Tucker DeVries (Drake) and Javon Small (Oklahoma State). Last season, DeVries was named an Associated Press All-American Honorable Mention selection, while Small earned All-Big 12 Honorable Mention honors.
– In addition, Eduardo Andre (Fresno State), Joseph Yesufu (Washington State), Sencire Harris (Illinois), Amani Hansberry (Illinois) and Jayden Stone (Detroit Mercy) will all see considerable action this season.
– Tucker DeVries was named to the 20-member Julius Erving Preseason Watch List, giving annually to the nation’s top small forward.
– Tucker DeVries was named to the preseason Naismith Trophy Men’s College Player of the Year Watch List.
– Tucker DeVries was named to the John R. Wooden Award Top 50 Preseason Watch List.
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