Jill Carrera, Full Time Mom, Part time Super Hero

"As one person I cannot change the world, but I can change the world of one person."

~Paul Shane Spear

Jill Carrera is a resident of Oak Forest, mother of 6 and part time super hero. Jill fosters children that are in need of help through an agency called Safe Families for Children. Safe Families for Children works a little differently than what most would consider a foster care situation. They aid families in crisis that need a short term foster home. It might be a single mom who is getting back on her feet after coming out of a drug rehabilitation program, a family who is fighting homelessness, or a family whose house burnt down. These are just a few examples of how a child might end up in Jill's care. What is extraordinary about the help is that these children do not have to be placed in the foster care system. Safe Families for Children places these children in safe and loving foster situations and works with the families so that the children can be returned without court involvement. It really is an amazing program. Out of the 15 children that Jill has fostered, 14 of them have been returned successfully to their families. The last one was adopted to a loving family.

Jill got involved with Safe Families for Children because she loves children and wanted to give back. Jill is blessed with 5 beautiful biological children and 1 delightful adopted child so to say she is busy is an understatement. She knew her family was complete after adopting her 6th child but she still felt she could help others. She heard about the mission of Safe Families for Children and thought it was a perfect fit. With the approval of her husband and children she became a foster to children in need. There was an approval process she had to complete which consisted of an application, background check, inspection of her home and training sessions. A Safe Families for Children representative makes home visits when she is fostering also, to insure the safety of everyone. You are never alone in this program because there are many resources if you need help.

She has fostered 15 children in 5 years. She receives no compensation for the resources she provides these children. She does it all with a pure heart and for the shear purpose of assisting children in need. One of the great things about fostering with Safe Families for Children is that you can set parameters to the type of fostering you do. Jill decided that it was best for her family to foster children under 2, one child at a time, and a time frame of about 4 months. She has made some exceptions along the way, but these guidelines make sure that fostering does not compromise her own family.

Speaking of her family, they love it. "There are chaotic times," Jill says with a laugh, "but nothing our family can not handle." Her children, Kennedy,21, Mark,19, Kinsey,17, Kamden,13, Mitchell,12, and Michael,11, are wonderful with the children and have learned to be generous and kind. The two oldest are in college, but they love to help with the kids when they come home. They all help out quite a bit and always grow attached. When the children leave it is always with mixed emotions. They are sorry to see them go, yet happy that they are going back to their own families who are now stronger. Part of the program is for Jill to develop a relationship with the families. She becomes a mentor to them and is part of the support system. She still keeps in touch with quite a few of the families.

Jill Carrera is a wonderful example of a normal everyday person, changing the lives of children and families. She is a real life super hero right here in Oak Forest.

If you would like to get involved with Safe Families for Children or donate to their cause, please go to their website at https://safe-families.org/.