Bringing Comfort and Dignity to Kids Coming From Hard Places

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast!

For this episode, I am joined with the founder of Lily Pad: Jennifer Tice. Jennifer worked for fourteen years as a labor and delivery nurse and her husband worked for two decades in law enforcement. Together, they decided they would open their home to foster kids. It began with infants, since that was Jennifer’s background, but then they made the pivotal switch to teenagers… and it sparked Lily Pad. When they welcomed their first teenager, Jennifer and her husband realized these kids sleep in cubicles or cold office spaces while waiting for placement.

While we can’t change what has happened to these kids, we can try to minimize more harm by treating them with dignity, care, and providing comfort. That is how Lily Pad was born. Jennifer and her husband began creating spaces for these kids, a space that looks and feels like a home living room, so there’s just a little bit more comfort in these dark moments between the police station and DSS offices.

In our conversation today, Jennifer shares her story, the origins and mission of Lily Pad, but also how we as foster and adoptive parents can bring comfort and dignity to these kids coming from hard places.

Let’s dive in!

Key topics in this episode:

The origin and mission of Lily PadThe impact of creating comfortable spaces for children in careThe importance of dignity and love in foster careStories of connection and healing in Lily Pad roomsExpanding support to law enforcement and beyondPractical advice for prospective foster familiesWays you can make your own space at home filled with comfort and dignity

Lily Pad’s website: https://www.lilypadinc.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lily.pad.inc/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LilyPadInc

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LilyPad.ASoftPlacetoLand

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