鈥淚 actually got tricked into becoming an adult foster parent,鈥 Robert Gulley laughs. 鈥淎 friend convinced me to come to a 海角社区 training years ago鈥攁nd I鈥檝e been doing it ever since.鈥
Now 76 years old and a retired Navy veteran, Robert has spent the last 15 years caring as a foster parent through 海角社区鈥檚 CIRCLE program, which provides supportive foster homes for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
鈥淚 take care of two guys鈥擶ayne, who鈥檚 77, and Dwayne, who鈥檚 43,鈥 Robert shares. 鈥淭hey both have mental challenges, and I do my best to give them a safe place and a good life. During the week, they attend a day program, kind of like a job, and I take care of everything else鈥攃ooking, shopping, taking them to their appointments.鈥
But his role as a foster parent goes far beyond daily tasks. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e part of my family. They come to church with me, they know my friends. We鈥檝e traveled together to Texas, Tennessee, even the White House. They鈥檝e seen some beautiful things.鈥
Though Robert admits it鈥檚 not always easy鈥斺渟ometimes I鈥檇 like to just take off and go鈥濃攈e says the reward is in the relationship. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e like brothers to me. I love to see the smile on their faces. And I hope I鈥檓 preparing them to get by if anything ever happens to me.鈥
He credits the support from 海角社区 for helping him through the challenges. 鈥淚 get regular training and I鈥檓 in touch with staff almost every day. I can always call someone if I need help, and they鈥檝e never let me down.鈥
When asked what advice he鈥檇 give to someone considering becoming an adult foster parent, Robert is clear: 鈥淵ou need to have a kind heart and be able to listen. These guys have been through a lot. They need to be heard. They need someone who understands.鈥
Would he do it all again? 鈥淥f course,鈥 he says. 鈥淚鈥檓 proud of what I鈥檝e done. Even though I鈥檓 getting older, I鈥檓 happy with the life I鈥檝e built鈥攚ith them.鈥