Honoring a dedicated and loving foster mom

Lake Villa's Allendale to recognize Lutisha Handy’s contributions at Sept. 20 celebration

Lutisha Handy of Waukegan would be the first to tell you that being a foster parent is not a walk in the park.

“Every day isn’t a piece of cake, you have ups and downs, you cry sometimes,” she said. “But if you’ve got love in your heart, you’ll be surprised at how many little ones will touch your heart and make it beautiful for you.”

Handy has been a foster parent some 30 years with Allendale of Lake Villa, which offers specialized and traditional foster care services to children with social, medical and behavioral challenges. She’s lost count of how many children she has fostered, but she has adopted five and served as a guardian for three others.

“I have a calling in my life,” she said.

Her contributions have been so noteworthy that Allendale is bestowing on her its Lifetime Achievement Award on Sept. 20, during a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the foster care program.

The celebration, which is open to the community, will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Bradley Counseling Center on Allendale’s campus, 420 W. Grand Ave., in Lake Villa. The family fun fair will feature games, prizes, refreshments, and an opportunity to learn more about becoming a foster parent.

Because Allendale could use more foster parents like Lutisha Handy.

“On any given day in the U.S., about 400,000 children are in some form of foster care, either on a temporary or permanent basis, and of those 17,090 are here in Illinois.” said Jason Keeler, Allendale CEO and president. “Currently we support 15 foster parents at Allendale, and have five more in the process of learning about fostering, but many more caring and loving homes are needed so we can serve more children.”

Children under the age of 18 come into foster care because their families find themselves unable to care for them. For some, it’s a temporary measure; for others, it may become permanent. Typically, they are placed through the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. About 7,000 children in Illinois are in foster care homes.

“When we talk with people about foster parenting, they often recognize the tremendous need,” Keeler said. “At the same time, many hesitate because they feel unprepared — and that’s completely understandable.”

Because Allendale provides residential and outpatient treatment for children with medical challenges or behavioral issues, about three-quarters of its current foster children fall into a “specialized care” category.

“Being a foster parent can be quite challenging, but it is also immensely rewarding,” Keeler said. “I don’t think anyone steps into foster care with all the answers, but those that do are champions of courage, compassion and a willingness to open their hearts and their homes to a child in need.”

Nikia Handy, 28, of Waukegan, one of Lutisha Handy’s adoptees, understands how important fostering is. A graduate of the College of Lake County and the University of Wisconsin/Milwaukee, Nikia is planning to pursue a career in law. She’s currently a workforce development coordinator with SGA Youth and Family Services.

“Fostering gives that person a positive impact on a child’s life,” she said. “It provides love, care and access to resources. If my mom hadn’t adopted me, I would not have the life I have now.”

Allendale offers extensive training for prospective foster parents.

“Foster parents are never alone in this journey. Becoming a foster parent is an involved process that includes background checks, several home visits and interviews” Keeler said, “but training, guidance and ongoing support are provided every step of the way helping to build the skills, confidence and community that it requires.”

Allendale provides meals and child care during their training and monthly meetings to give foster parents the opportunity learn, support and connect with each other.

And foster parents can rest assured that someone is always there to answer the phone.

“Allendale has a great support system,” Handy said. “No matter what time of day or night, someone will call me back if I need them. My case workers go above and beyond. The training and support I receive is one of the reasons I’ve been a foster parent for 30 years.”

In Illinois, foster parents receive a monthly stipend to help cover a child’s basic needs, such as food, clothing and a personal allowance. The amount varies based on the child's age, but it generally ranges from $418 to $511 per month for traditional foster care, and may be higher when specialized care is being provided.

Still, only 12% of applicants complete foster parent training and obtain their license, pointing to the need for many more families to apply.

“I know there are more Lutishas out there,” Keeler said. “You don’t have to be perfect; you simply need to be present, compassionate and willing to grow.”

For information on Allendale’s community celebration on Sept. 20 or to find out more about becoming a foster parent, visit allendale4kids.org or call (847) 356-2351.