Editor's Note: This story is being shared with the gracious permission of the Bartlesville Public Schools.

By David Austin
Community Relations Coordinator, Bartlesville Public Schools
 

Having seen the last of her five children off to college, Nancy Volmer figured her days of raising kids in the home were finished.

Then, one simple phone call changed her plans.

Now in her ninth year as the attendance secretary at Madison Middle School, Volmer is much more than that. Her desk is located outside of the main office – where attendance secretaries are typically found – in an area that is all her own. It is constantly surrounded by stuffed animals and students. While Volmer handles attendance, she takes care of discipline issues as well. Thus, when wayward students are sent out of class, their first stop is usually at Volmer’s desk.

She addresses the problem, but doesn’t dismiss the student.

“I like to make sure all of our students feel they are worth something,” says Volmer. “And most of the time, the kids who are sent out of class are the ones who need to know that the most. They are usually the ones who touch my heart.

“They need someone who lets them know they are still loved and valued.”

The call which changed Volmer’s plans came in the fall of 2007. It was from a former student at Madison. Things hadn’t always gone swimmingly for the youngster, and Volmer had told him that if he ever needed anything, he should call.

The boy called. He needed a home. The Volmers – Nancy and husband Phil – decided to open theirs to him.

“We’ve had him for a little more than 18 months now,” notes Nancy. “It’s been hard. I think anyone who is a foster parent knows it’s not all fun and games. But definitely, it’s something we’re not giving up on.

“Our five children have taken him in and he’s just part of our family. We hope he always will be.”

The Volmers were honored for their efforts during the Oklahoma Pathways to Adulthood Together We Can 2009 Conference, which is an Oklahoma Department of Human Services event. Nominated for Foster Parent of the Year status in Washington County – the recommendation came from Debra Patterson of the Washington County office of the Oklahoma DHS – the Volmers beat out more than 40 other foster families for the honor. As Washington County’s foster parents of the year, the Volmers were put into the running to take the Area VI honor in Oklahoma.

During the conference in Midwest City, the Volmers were revealed as the Area VI Foster Parents of the Year. The subsequent award is called “Making a Difference,” which is what the Volmers have been doing for their foster child for the last year and a half.

“I’m very, very, very honored,” says Nancy. “My goal every morning when I wake up is to make a difference in the life of a child. To be noticed in this way is a great reward.”

The honor – which was revealed during a special breakfast ceremony at the conference in Midwest City – gives Nancy a podium of sorts. And, she plans to use it. In the foster care system – not just in Oklahoma, but throughout the country – it is often difficult to place older children. But in many instances, they are the ones who have the most need.

“There is a drastic need for foster parents,” says Nancy, “especially for children who are in the sixth, seventh and eighth grades. There just aren’t enough homes for them.

“For all of those who might have the slightest inkling to look into foster parenting, I hope they do,” says Volmer. “I get as much out of it as my foster child does.

“When he calls me Mom, it touches my heart. It really does.”

Those who would like to learn more about foster parenting opportunities in the area can contact Patterson, who is a foster care specialist, at the Washington County office of the Oklahoma DHS (918-338-5700 or Debra.patterson@okdhs.org).

The Volmers are due to be recognized for their achievement during the luncheon. They are one of six sets of foster parents recognized in the state this year as the Oklahoma DHS system has a half-dozen areas in all. The competition ends there as no overriding winner is chosen from the six area honorees.

That’s just as well. The Volmers didn’t agree to become foster parents in the hopes of collecting accolades. They simply wanted to make a positive impact in the life a needy child. They have done that with great aplomb.

“The Volmers’ dedication to their foster child is so great,” says Patterson. “That’s a quality you just don’t find every day.

“They are truly wonderful people.”