GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — Brett Hillesheim and his wife made the decision to turn their house into a safe space for foster children just seven years ago after what seemed like a regular church service.
“In the bulletin that Sunday it said, ‘United Methodist Children’s Home is in desperate need of foster families,’” said Brett Hillesheim.
Around that time, Hildesheim and his wife were reluctant to take on the responsibility of adding more children in the household. It was the words of their youngest daughter, Anna that made an impact.
“Well if these kids need a home, why wouldn’t we help them?”
Since then, the Hillesheim’s have fostered a total of eighteen children.
“Of the eighteen, five became adoptable and my wife and I decided to adopt all five of those children."
Anna and Emily, the couples biological children are now joined by Donovan, Shawn, Mya, Will, and Cailey. Together they make up a family of nine. Although Trans-racial adoption is becoming more common, Brett says it was a big learning experience for his household. It was very important to ensure that his adopted children stayed in touch with their natural born, African roots and culture.
“One of the things that we’ve always tried to do is surround our children with black role models, keeping close community with people that look like them.”
United Methodist Children’s Home was so impressed with the family and their passion for fostering, Brett was eventually hired to work with the company.
Becoming a foster family is not for the faint of heart, but for the Hillsheim family they say it has completely changed their lives for the better.
"We would not be who we are today if it wasn't for our experience with foster care and then later with adoption," said Brett.
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