Alicia Wilson Wins the 2024 Vivienne Campbell Foster Parent of the Year Award

In Massachusetts alone, there are around 10,000 youth in foster care. These youth need the support of safe, consistent adults who will protect and nurture them during a time of great uncertainty in their lives. Foster families answer this call by opening their homes and hearts to care for youth in foster care.  

Each year, Bridges Homeward recognizes foster parents who go above and beyond as caregivers with the Vivienne Campbell Foster Parent of the Year Award. Parents who receive this award show dedication to making the youth in their care feel extra loved and welcomed. Their foster homes are consistently stable, nurturing environments where youth can thrive and be themselves. This year, the award goes to Alicia Wilson! 

Alicia (second from left) with Bridges Homeward foster care staff

Alicia has been a foster parent for 12 years. For the past two years, Alicia has provided long-term, stable and loving placement to two adolescent boys, Julian* and Isaac*. Isaac has a complicated and sometimes disappointing relationship with his biological family, but Alicia has always been able to help him navigate his feelings towards his family with compassion and understanding. Like many youth in his position, Isaac will sometimes have big emotions and behaviors that, in the moment, can feel unmanageable for him. Alicia understands that these behaviors are in relation to the sadness, anger, and disappointment he feels towards his biological mother, and helps him redirect these big emotions in a positive way.  

Despite the challenges that have come with Isaac's biological family involvement, Alicia has never considered giving up on him. Some people often fear the complications that come with a youth’s biological family, but Alicia supports whatever is best for the youth in her care.  

When Alicia was asked to commit to serving as a permanent foster home for Isaac, she said yes without any hesitation. She is proud of his progress and is more than delighted to have him stay with her until adulthood. Alicia is hopeful and excited to be a life-long support for him throughout his adult life. Since Alicia made this commitment to Isaac, he has experienced a huge positive shift in his grades, his self-expression, and his self-gratitude. Now that he has an unobstructed vision and a certainty for his future, Isaac has settled into his routine with more calmness and confidence than ever before.  

We are excited to recognize Alicia for her commitment to Isaac and Julian with this award. Not only has she always been a huge advocate for the youth’s mental health and safety, but she also supports Julian’s love of soccer, his social time with his peers, and teaches him independent living skills. Alicia ensures he is participating in community and school soccer teams, welcomes his friends to the house to hang out together, and prioritizes his accountability for his education and his chores. With her guidance, love, and support, we are very optimistic about Isaac’s future! 

Foster families are ordinary families who chose to do something extraordinary. Most of their days are messy, beautiful and heart-breaking, full of joy, laughter and tears. Good foster parents love not only the children they care for, but also the families those children come from. To start your foster care journey with Bridges Homeward, contact us today! 

*Names have been changed.