Sign In
Skip to Main Content
  • Sacramento County
  • Live/Visit |
  • Business |
  • Government |
  • Search

SACCOUNTY NEWS

  • Twitter - Sacramento County
  • Facebook - Sacramento County
  • Instagram - Sacramento County
  • More News
      • 2023 Stories
      • 2022 Stories
      • 2021 Stories
      • 2020 Stories
      • 2019 Stories
      • 2018 Stories
      • 2017 Stories
      • 2016 Stories
      • 2015 Stories
  • Events
      • Countywide Calendar
      • Sacramento365
  • Photo / Video
      • Video Galleries
      • Photo Galleries
  • Public Information
      • Public Information Office
      • County Press Releases
      • Public Records Act Requests
      • Contact Us

The Gifts of Being a Foster Parent

7/16/2015
Health & Social Services

Page Image
foster care
Image Caption
​Caring for more than 90 children in the foster system has brought Billie Lara and her husband great joy.
Evernote
 
 

Article Date: Thursday, July 16, 2015

Page Content

​When Billie Lara made a promise to her daughter’s friend in 1993, she didn’t know it would lead to 21 years of her and her husband providing love and care for more than 90 children in the foster system. But looking back, the 62-year-old says she wouldn’t have it any other way.

Billie and her husband first became foster parents to provide a home for their daughter’s friend, who was living in an abusive home at the time. But a visit from a social worker convinced them that they could help even more children.

“The social worker said that she had a couple of girls who needed homes and thought that I would be perfect for them,” Billie says. “She asked me, ‘Would you consider it?’ My husband and I talked about it and we took both of them in the next day.”

Recently, Billie and several of her former foster kids, not adults, gathered for a family reunion at her home in Rancho Cordova. Billie says seeing her children go on to lead happy and productive lives fills her with joy. But in the beginning, she was unsure.

“I had fears about whether I could make an impression,” Billie says. “I worried that I wouldn’t be able to give them what they needed or that they would even listen to me.”

Billie says it’s important for new foster parents to be realistic and focused on the long-term commitment before taking on the responsibility. As the chairperson of the Sacramento County Foster Parent Association, Billie tells people who are thinking about becoming foster parents that the children might take some time to warm up to them at first.

“I think the downfall for a lot of new foster parents is that they think the child will be instantly grateful for taking them in or that the child is going to trust them as soon as they walk in the door,” Billie says. “For them, you’re part of a system that they may resent. It’s not going to be a bed of roses. Most of them will appreciate you, but it takes time.”

For Billie, the investment of time and love has been well worth it. Many of Billie’s children have gone on to college. They keep in touch with her and let her know what they’re doing. They still come to her for direction. One of those children is 24-year-old Roberta Knorr, who has been with Billie since she was 7-years-old.

“If I had stayed with my real parents, I probably wouldn’t be where I’m at today,” Roberta says. “[Billie] made sure that I learned responsibility and that I focused on my education.”

Billie and her husband continue to foster children to this day, including six kids they currently have living in their home. She hopes more people will discover the joy of becoming foster parents.

“There’s a lot to the positive side of being a foster parent,” Billie says. “They have given me more gifts than I have given them. I know why I am here on this earth, and it’s for my kids. I love my kids.” 

For more information on foster parenting, contact the Health and Human Services Department.

Contact Info:

SC Contact Information
Laura McCasland, Communication and Media Officer -875-2008

Latest Headlines

  • Safe Sleep Baby Education: A Lifesaving Initiative
  • New Guidance for COVID Vaccines
  • Keep Your Pets Safe During a Disaster
  • Oriental Fruit Flies Detected in Sacramento County
  • Get Outside on National Public Lands Day

Categories

  • Animals/Pets/Insects
  • Art & Things To Do
  • County Governance, Operations, Policy
  • Economic Development, Community Planning, Agriculture
  • Emergency/Preparedness
  • Green & Technology
  • Health & Social Services
  • Homelessness
  • Law/Justice
  • Media Releases / Advisories
  • Parks/Recreation
  • Taxes & Voting
  • Transportation & Airports
  • Utility & Residential Services

News Archive

  • 2022
  • 2021
  • 2020
  • 2019
  • 2018
  • 2017
  • 2016
  • 2015
  • 2014

Photo Gallery
Check out our photo galleries showcasing the beauty of Sac County and our work to ensure it.
Photo Gallery
Video Gallery
Check out our videos about SacCounty Services.
Video Gallery
Sacramento365
A website designed to serve as the all-inclusive arts and entertainment resource for Sacramento County.
Sacramento365
More News
2023 Stories
2022 Stories
2021 Stories
2020 Stories
2019 Stories
2018 Stories
2017 Stories
2016 Stories
2015 Stories
Events
Countywide Calendar
Sacramento365
Galleries
Video Gallery
Photo Gallery
Public Information
Public Information Office
County Press Releases (2016-2010)
Public Records Act Requests
Contact Us

SACCOUNTY NEWS

Connect with us
Sign-up for news updates
Sign Up >
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
  • Email
  • Sacramento Alert
  • LinkedIn
  • Flickr
  • News
  • Metro Cable
  • Instagram
© Copyright by SACCOUNTY NEWS
Website Policies Use | Contact Us | Report a Problem | Connect with Us | Website Feedback Form
Search