Foster Parent Spotlight:
The Besser Family

Chuck and Melanie Besser came to DePaul with previous experience as Foster Parents but working with DePaul has brought them a permanent family.

Every once in a while, the things foster parents tell us make us chuckle inside. An example of one such things include when potential foster parents tell us in the home study process that “we want a particular type of child” and states very specifically what they are looking for. When I reviewed the home study for Chuck and Melanie Besser, who became foster parents with DePaul in 2005, I had such a chuckle.

The Bessers came to DePaul with experience as foster parents with another agency. Their previous experience led them to say they wanted to foster but were not very interested in adopting. Now they are considering adopting two brothers. Hm-m-m! Do you understand why I chuckled?

Chuck came from a large family, being one of seven children. Melanie was an only child and they have one child together, a daughter who is now ten. They have a large house in the country. Chuck works as a CPA in Roanoke, and Melanie is an Administrative Assistant for a firm, also in Roanoke.

They had only been approved as DePaul family Services foster parents for a short time when their first child through DePaul arrived. Just over age four, this child’s reddish hair fit right in the family. Soon it was more than just his physical appearance that made the family begin to talk about making him a permanent member of their family. During the court process, they were very active in helping their foster son visit with his older brother, which they continued to do once that brother also came into foster care. Now they are hoping to adopt both boys. The family has been like a sponge in soaking up information about attachment theory and making diligent efforts to put their learning into practice.

The Bessers have a variety of interests, all confidently listed on their application. But what they didn’t report is that Chuck runs in marathons and Melanie has a special interest in music. Chuck will be running in the Rock and Roll Marathon in Virginia Beach in September 2007, and in the 15th Anniversary Walt Disney Marathon in January 2008. We didn’t know that he was a runner! Melanie’s love of music includes the piano. When in high school she sang in the choir at the White House’s Christmas tree tour. We didn’t know that either!! Funny how things like that go unmentioned during home visits.

We are happy the Bessers are a part of the DePaul network of families.

By: Frannie Gaeta, Social Worker and Patricia Ronk, Social Work Supervisor, Roanoke.