Foster Parent Spotlight: Johnny and Jeanette Taylor

By S. Kelly, Social Worker, Roanoke Office
Johnny and Jeanette Taylor have been DePaul foster parents in the Roanoke office for five years. Both Johnny and Jeanette have been supportive to all of the children who have lived in their home, fighting for the rights of those children both when the children live with them and after the children leave their care. They currently have a ten-year-old child in their home and include him in all aspects of their family's life. They are in constant contact with his teacher and have provided the teacher their cell phone numbers. They often continue to have contact with the children who have left their home via mail and phone contact and have driven for hours to visit with children who can no longer live with them.

The Taylor's treat each child like a member of their family, including them for get-togethers like family reunions. Recently they took their foster son to Rosa Parks' memorial service in Washington, D.C., and they are planning a week-long trip to the beach after the holidays. They help their foster children learn via experiences that might not be available to children after they leave the Taylor foster home.

A biological parent who has recently worked with the Taylors said, "I do not like my child to be in foster care, but at least he has Mr. and Mrs. Taylor."

Thank you for everything that you do, Jeanette and Johnny!