In our Staff Spotlight Series, we catch up with the talented, dedicated and compassionate individuals who help make everything our organization does possible. This month we are featuring Kim Gessert, a family worker in foster care adoption. Read more about Kim’s work and life below!
What originally drew you to the field of foster care and adoption?
I came to adoption first as a parent. My two teenage daughters were born in Ethiopia and we became a family 15 years ago. While going through the home study process, I learned a lot about the foster care and adoption world and knew this would be a job I would want to do! I now help prepare prospective families for foster care and adoption, work as a “matchmaker” during the matching process and support them and their new child through the finalization process in court.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
Experiencing pivotal moments when a parent shifts from “this is really hard” or “I’m not sure I can do this” to “my child is having a hard time, and I can parent her through this”
Based on your experience working in the field of foster care and adoption, what is something everyone should know about foster care and/or adoption that they might not?
It isn’t about you. It is about the child. The more we can get our egos out of the way, determine what the child needs for healing, growth and connection and orient our compass accordingly, the better the whole family system will feel. Parents need deep self-awareness to be able to care for themselves so they can persist through the ups and downs. But ultimately, foster care and adoption isn’t about your dream of being fulfilled as a parent. It’s about providing buoyancy to the child and walking with them through their healing journey.
What advice would you give to families thinking of beginning their adoption journey?
Examine your motives. Really take in the education and training and believe us when we say that 80% of the children we are seeking families for are ages 12 to 18.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
I love the specific match meetings when a family is learning about a child and you can feel the potential for a click. When they start asking questions that really resonate with your hopes for the child and what the county team knows the child needs. Also, there’s nothing like seeing photos of court finalizations posted by my team!
Switching gears to life outside of work – what does an ideal weekend look like for you?
A snowstorm where everything is cancelled and we don’t have a choice but to slow down, tuck in and make weird things.
If you could travel anywhere in the world in the next year, where would you go and what would you do?
Santa Fe, New Mexico is my heart’s home, so any time there would be fantastic. Two places I haven’t been but would love to go are India or Bali. I’m a sucker for any meditation and wellness retreat somewhere gorgeous.
What is the last book, movie, or TV series you loved?
My 17-year-old daughter got me hooked on Stranger Things. It can be so gross and not my usual, but it sucks me in and the suspense is crazy. My younger daughter and I love to binge The Traitors together and can never walk away on a cliff hanger. It’s fun to have series that we connect on.
What is something that always brings a smile to your face?
Getting away to the north shore up near Beaver Bay with my girls.
