When foster mother Lanetta Johnson volunteered for the Celebrate Recovery program at her church, the clients she assisted had very issues – from drugs and domestic violence to sexual abuse.

It was that program that led Johnson to become a foster parent.

“I knew that if these adults had problems, it had to affect the kids they have,” said Johnson. “Maybe they needed help also and I wanted to help. I wanted the kids to live healthy.”

There are nearly 50,000 cases of child abuse and neglect confirmed each year in Texas. Harris Country is the third largest population to have the most abused and neglected children in the United States.

Johnson said that her sister had fostered children before and she found herself interested as well.

“I didn’t want to go back to the workforce,” admitted Johnson. “I worked at AT&T for about 30 years and retired in 2007. I wanted to help children.”

Currently, Johnson cares for three girls. In the past year, she has fostered nine other children.

“There are some struggles to being a foster mother,” she said. “One of the main struggles is the politics, the policies and the legality of everything. You can only discipline the children so much.

Besides the legal side of struggles, there is also the matter of not having time for a social life. Johnson stated that once somebody becomes a foster parent, his or her lifestyle must be above-board. When being a foster parent, every person that lives in the household has to get a background check.

“I have so many appointments to take the girls to,” said Johnson with a laugh. “I have to take them their family visits, their doctor visits, their therapy sessions and meetings with their caseworkers. It is as if they are my own children, just a little extra. I’m constantly running errands up and down the city.”

Although there may be a few difficulties, there are satisfactions one may get from being a foster parent.

“It isn’t their choice to have to live like this,” Johnson said. “I love taking care of them, and knowing that I gave them a home while they were having a difficult time, is a good feeling. I would take another child in if they have one. I enjoy having them at my side.”

There are many qualities to which Johnson admits one must have to be a good foster parent.

“Patience and unconditional love are the most important qualities,” stated Johnson. “You need to love the unloved. They need to loved because there are some people who don’t give them all of it.”

Johnson also believes that one needs to be very well organized and have time.

“Organization skills are important,” acknowledges Johnson. “There are many important dates to keep track of, a lot of paper work that has to be checked and looked for and knowing how to maintain your home’s (stability).”

“You need to feel like this is a calling for you, otherwise, don’t do it,” said Johnson. “They are children and they require much of your attention and time. You need to spend time with them.”

Johnson admits that at times she feels exhausted with what she is doing for them.

“Sometimes you might feel overwhelmed,” admits Johnson. “But you just have to pick yourself backup because you love them and want the best for them. I want to incorporate them in the family…be a part of my family, so they can have it as normal as possible.”

Johnson cares for three foster girls – “Rachel,” “Johnnie” and “Ashley.”

Rachel, 7, who has been in four foster homes before, is the most talkative and inquisitive child of the three girls. She is the smallest of the trio but probably the most courageous. She said she once ran away from one of her previous foster home, but did not elaborate.

 “I’m going to miss Ms. Lanetta,” admitted Rachel, who will be returning to her family Dec. 6. “I love her and she’s very nice.”

She also said that she is going to miss her foster sisters.

“I love them but sometimes they’re mean to me when we play games,” Rachel said with a laugh.

Johnnie, 10, is the middle foster child. She is the most serious and formal one of the group. She has been in three foster homes before moving in with Johnson.

“Living with Ms. Lanetta has been my favorite so far,” Johnnie said with a smile. “She’s nice, she’s beautiful and she cooks good food.”

Johnnie said she has not seen her parents since last year and said she misses them.

“Children should miss their parents,” she said in a solemn voice.

 Ashley, 11, is described as being sensitive and outspoken. She has been a foster child since she was seven years old and has been in six foster homes since.

She hasn’t seen her parents in a long time. Her father is in Nigeria and she doesn’t know where her mother is. Johnson is going to be her foster mother for an indefinite amount of time.

Both Johnnie and Ashley will be spending the holidays with Johnson.

Besides all three being fosters, they all appreciate what Johnson has done for them.

Johnson said that she does miss the children that have to go back to their families.

“It’s a bitter-sweet feeling,” Johnson said. “But that’s what I want. I want them to return, to reunite with their families.”

Although, there is one thing she doesn’t miss about the children.

“I definitely don’t miss the whining and complaining,” she said with a laugh.

Johnson plans to continue being a foster mother.

“I don’t have something to stop me from continuing. It’s a rewarding thing to do.”