Being a houseparent is more than just a job—it’s a calling. At Goshen Valley, our houseparents provide stability, love, and guidance to youth who have experienced hardship, offering them a place to heal and grow. But what does life truly look like behind the scenes? To gain a deeper understanding of what life is like, we sat down with Al and Britt Fishburn, one of our houseparent couples at the Boys Ranch, to ask about their experience.
Can you share a little about yourselves and what led you to become houseparents?
Al and I have been married 22 years. We both grew up in church and committed our lives to God and service at different points. God called us into this ministry in 2010 but placed it in our hearts much earlier. While living in Indiana, we volunteered for Frontline Ministries, serving inner-city communities. It was through this that we realized how much we loved working with less fortunate youth.
We also learned growing our family naturally would take a miracle. This ministry strengthened our marriage and filled a void of not having children. While it has not been God’s will for us to biologically parent, we’ve served as foster parents, houseparents, and mentors to over 100 children, many of whom keep in touch. We are also dog parents and love that as well.
What does your home dynamic look like?
Our home can house seven boys. We currently have six, ages 12 to 18. Our routine varies daily with counseling, tutoring, sports, jobs, and medical appointments. The days can be busy and challenging, but we get it done.
How would you describe a typical day in your home?
Monday-Friday, our day starts at 6:00 am. The boys wake up, do laundry, shower, clean rooms, and eat breakfast. By 7:15 am, we have a house meeting to go over the day and pray before heading to the bus stop.
While they’re in school, we handle personal tasks, meetings, and youth appointments. The boys return home by 4:25 pm, check in, grab laundry, share about their day, and do homework from 4:30-5:00 pm. Free time follows, unless they have tutoring or counseling. We eat dinner at 6:00 pm, do chores, and take a 30-minute break from devices for family time. Recreational sports happen in the evenings, and showers start at 8:00 pm. At 8:45 pm, we hold another house meeting to debrief, resolve conflicts, and pray. Middle schoolers go to bed at 9:00 pm, and high schoolers at 9:30 pm. Weekends are more relaxed with Goshen events, visits, and church. We also plan activities like movies, parks, or dining out.
What are some of the biggest emotional challenges you face as houseparents?
It’s emotionally hard to hear their stories and see them long for family. It can be frustrating being in their lives 24/7 but not making final decisions for them. Saying goodbye is also difficult, but we remind ourselves to be who God created us to be in hopes of planting seeds.
How has fostering impacted your family in ways you didn’t expect?
Al and I came into this ministry weak-minded in marriage. God has used this to strengthen us as a couple and redefine what marriage should look like. Al has similar stories to these youth that God has allowed him to use to help them navigate through life. Four months into our houseparent journey, I unexpectedly lost my hero, my dad. I fell into a dark depression, but God placed kids in my life that needed me, and in some crazy way, I could now relate to the child without a father. He used this to bring me through a very dark time. God has grown us in our faith and challenged us in our walk.
What does being a houseparent mean to you?
Being a foster houseparent means offering a safe and loving home to youth who have experienced hardship, trauma, or neglect. We provide stability, care, peace, and a sense of belonging when they need it most. This ministry requires patience, grace, empathy, understanding, and selflessness. It’s about offering hope, showing kids that a second chance at life may not always be bad, even when life was hard to begin with. We remind them of their worth, their value, and that they are loved and capable of doing hard things. The time with them may be short, but the quality of that time could make a difference for the rest of their life.
Is there anything you wish more people understood about fostering?
Many see fostering as simply providing youth with a safe home, but it is more than that. You have to navigate their trauma, build trust, and help bring healing to a child who may not fully understand what happened to them. Their trauma may be released in different ways—anger, aggression, or substance abuse. They are not bad children; they are children who experienced bad situations. This is why it is important to have a support system and to take time for self-care. Even small victories, like a child picking up their floor for the first time, matter. Have patience, show grace, and trust God to equip you for the call.
What would you say to someone considering becoming a house parent?
Thank you. This is a big decision, but you will be providing a safe home for youth in need. It is a journey, not a one-time event. You will face challenges—not just with the youth, but also with case managers, judges, and biological families. Always expect the unexpected. This is not like raising your own family; you are raising someone else’s children. Remember your why, call on your support, and focus on their needs while also taking care of yourself. You have a huge opportunity to give youth a better chance at life and a brighter future. Just breathe and pray your way through it.
Fostering isn’t just about providing a safe home—it’s about walking alongside youth as they navigate healing, trust, and hope. Our houseparents pour their hearts into this ministry, facing challenges with resilience and celebrating even the smallest victories. Their stories remind us that while fostering requires patience and sacrifice, the impact it leaves is lifelong. If you’ve ever considered becoming a foster parent, know that your willingness to step into this role could change lives—including your own.
