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CI Hero: Foster care director is a champion for children

PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — Inside the Children's Home Association of Illinois in Peoria, Michelle Hayes commits to helping foster children find their permanent home. 'To know that we're making change and we're helping children change, and adults change, is so rewarding,' said Hayes. Hayes is the director of foster care. Her team supports both traditional and specialized foster care programs. They work to help families find stability and support. Become a foster parent Learn more about resources 'We really work closely with the biological parents and the foster kids and really work hard to get these kids returned home as quick as possible and to a safe environment,' said Hayes. 'We want all the youth to be safe and we want the parents to learn and grow.' A green leaf is added to a mural tree inside the department when a child achieves permanency. Either going back to a safe home, getting adopted, or being emancipated. It's a celebratory moment for Hayes and her team. 'Talking about the good pieces of foster care when it can be so negative, so, really getting out there and cheering these parents on, cheering our community on, and really teaching and educating the central Illinois area about foster care and about Children's Home and the services we provide to the community,' said Hayes. She said there's always a need for more foster families. 'I really like seeing foster parents advocate for what they're doing and bringing in new foster parents and really be in that champion to interact with the community and telling them how great and how easy it is to become a foster parent,' said Hayes. The nonprofit is gearing up for the May Mother's Day flower basket fundraiser. Purchase Flower Basket Donate to Children's Home Pick up is May 8, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 2130 N Knoxville Avenue in Peoria. Mother's Day flower baskets for sale, grown by kids from Children's Home Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.