Additional Coverage:
While making her rounds at a retirement home in Largo, Maryland, Emma Patterson finds a moment to sit and pull out her smartphone. She begins scrolling through a series of photographs, each capturing moments with the many children she has taken under her wing over the years.
Emma reflects on her journey, sharing that she has opened her home to over 40 foster children since the 1980s, when she first became a foster parent in Montgomery County, Maryland. The pressing demand for foster parents in the United States is evident, with more than 400,000 children in the foster care system awaiting permanent homes as of 2020, according to data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families.
Acknowledged by Montgomery County officials as one of the most dedicated long-term foster parents in the area, Emma, now 88, is stepping away from her role. “I never thought anyone would notice what I was doing.
It wasn’t about getting recognition,” Emma shared with ABC News. “It was about helping those kids who had no one else, providing them a place to sleep, something to eat.”
A feature photo shows Emma amidst foster children and loved ones during a Christmas gathering, highlighting the family atmosphere she fostered. Emma’s journey into foster care began somewhat naturally when her own children started bringing home friends in need, whether it was for a winter coat, a meal, or a place to stay. Her willingness to help these children evolved into a formal commitment to fostering.
After separating from her husband, Emma was working two jobs, one at the University of the District of Columbia and another in retail, often using her employee discount to provide for the needs of the children she took in. Her home in White Oak, Maryland, eventually became an official foster residence for Montgomery County, welcoming even newborns in need of care. Emma has legally adopted two of her foster children over the years.
In a heartwarming recognition of her service, Montgomery County honored Emma with an award in May. Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, also a foster parent, praised Emma’s long-term dedication and hoped her story would inspire others to support vulnerable children and families.
Crediting her mother and grandmothers for her nurturing instincts, Emma grew up in a loving family of three siblings. She aimed to provide a similar supportive environment for all the children who came into her home.
Looking back, Emma takes pride in the adults her foster children have become, cherishing their successes and the positive impact she had on their lives. “I’m very proud of all of the children… they’ve all turned into wonderful human beings,” Emma beams, grateful for the opportunity to have played a role in their lives.