We'd like you to meet Rachael Bowen, Heartland for Children's new Recruitment Specialist. We are so happy to welcome Racheal to our team!

Rachael is a former HFC foster parent and brings an exciting and dynamic work/life history to her new position.

Tell us a little about yourself and what you bring to your new role as Recruitment Specialist.

I was a foster parent for Heartland for three years and a teacher for twelve years. I am currently a parent of a biological son and an adopted daughter, as well as a children’s pastor in Winter Haven. I have worked in church leadership for the past twenty five years. As a recruitment specialist for Heartland, my primary goal is to educate the public on the need for quality foster parents in the Polk, Highlands, and Hardee area.

What is a favorite memory from your time as a foster parent?

My favorite time as a foster parent was when I was able to rock the little ones to sleep.

What do you like to do in your free time? 

Well….I may watch a little TV (America’s Got Talent is my favorite show), read, or take a boat out onto the lake.

What is something interesting about yourself that our readers might like to know about you?

I love the theater. I began acting at a very young age and have written and performed in over 100 skits, plays, and musicals. 

As Recruitment Specialist, who do you hope to reach in Polk, Hardee and Highlands counties?  Who is your "target" audience? 

I am looking for any and all quality families that would like to provide a safe, nurturing environment for the children in our surrounding communities who have been abused or neglected and who are in great need of our love, attention, and shelter.

How do you hope to help reach our goal of building a quality foster home network?

I would like to invite the churches within our district to become more involved in the fostering program through advertisement, foster family fun days, informational meetings, and our Foster Friends program. 

I would like to increase our avenues of communication to the public on the mission and opportunities of service through Heartland for Children.  We would love for our current foster parents to help spread the word about the opportunities that Heartland offers to serve our community--either by word of mouth or social media, etc. 

I would also like to create more ways in which our families can share their experience and knowledge on how to become foster parents and be given and chance to express how rewarding it can be to bring foster children into their homes. 

Together, we can make a difference in trying to find the quality homes that are needed.

If someone wants to get involved but doesn't know where to start, what would you recommend?

If you know that you do not have the time needed to become a foster parent but you still would like to help in some way, I would recommend our Foster Friends program in which you can help foster families through babysitting, helping foster families out with household chores or errands, providing traveling assistance, etc. 

If you would like to find out more about becoming a foster parent, I would recommend coming to an informational night that is held on a monthly basis.

Interested in having Rachael speak about the need for quality foster parents in Circuit 10 at your business, church, or faith-based organization?

Email Rachel at rbowen@heartlandforchildren.org or call (863) 519-8900 x 285.