Foster mom Susan Galvan needs help finding an affordable four-
or five-bedroom house to rent and she is determined to make it
happen.
Foster mom Susan Galvan needs help finding an affordable four- or five-bedroom house to rent and she is determined to make it happen.
The single parent has adopted one little girl and is in the process of adopting two boys but, before she’ll be allowed to do so, she must find a bigger house. And now she’s been approached by her social worker to foster three more kids, with adoption in mind.
Five of the children have the same mother and this would be the closest thing to a sibling relationship they would have.
Galvan, however, lives in a two-bedroom house in Morgan Hill but is required by state licensing regulations to have five bedrooms before she’d be allowed to care for an up-sized brood.
“I’m very concerned about these children and what their future holds,” said Galvan, who’s already formed a relationship with the children during supervised visits where her boys see their biological mother.
“It’s very difficult to place a group of siblings together, plus, they are older (age 11, 9, 7) and that’s hard,” Galvan said.
Two of the children are in foster families and the other is with grandma, but these options are temporary and permanent placement is desirable.
Galvan is employed as a full-time technical writer with Diversified Software and is desperately seeking a larger, but affordable, home to rent, lease or purchase, preferably in Morgan Hill but San Martin or Gilroy would work too.
California’s Community Care Licensing requires that no more than two children age 5 and older, and of the same gender, can share a room. This is challenging in one of the most expensive housing markets in the country.
Galvan’s daughter, who once called everyone mom, is now thriving and Galvan praises Principal Mike Crocker at Jackson Elementary School.
“Principal Cracker (that’s what the students call him) is absolutely wonderful. He has a special place in his heart for kids coming out of the system,” said Galvan.
If housing is found in time, Galvan is up for her expanded role and growing family.
“They give me energy,” laughed Galvan. “I also get unconditional love and fulfillment from their marked progress. But more importantly – I have a reason, a purpose – I know why I’m here now.”
If you know of a house for Galvan, she can be contacted through the Morgan Hill Times by e-mail at editormh@morganhilltimes or by calling 779-4106.
