The Greatest Gift: Love

The greatest gift a foster parent could give a child in care is simply love. Mi’kmaw Family and Children Services of Nova Scotia (MFCSNS) is honored to celebrate and express our genuine gratitude to Gerald Robert and Mabel Francis for over thirty years of being loving and supportive foster parents.

It takes special people to be foster parents and both Gerald and Mabel of Eskasoni have gone above and beyond their expected role as foster parents.

Nearly in their 70’s both Gerald and Mabel have amazingly took in 87 foster kids in 31 years. For the common foster family these numbers are staggering but for Gerald and Mabel it’s just another day in the Francis family.

In Mabel’s words, “Back in those days it wasn’t called foster parents. Way back then, communities took care of each other and there was more support.”

Mabel’s parents also took care of families’ children, so it wasn’t a big thing for Mabel and Gerald to take in children in need of care, “The first time I took foster kids in was because I wanted someone to keep George (son) company,” said Mabel, “and after our first foster kids, our house was pretty well open from then.”

Mabel and Gerald first home wasn’t that big but the house was always filled with children. Not only did they have 5 of their own kids but also raised 3 foster kids. So their kids, along with the foster kids, had friends times two. At any time there could be close to 30 plus kids in and out at the Francis home.

“We had a total of 87 kids come to our home, we have seen everything from walls being destroyed, kids staying out late and kids hiding weapons. What's surprised me the first time was when kids hid their food. You have to understand how they lived before. Many kids didn't have much food so when they got it, they stored it,” said Mabel.

“Today in my house I make sure I keep the fridge full every day and provide three meals a day. I would never deprive them of food. Diner time and lunch time was packed. Grocery would cost around 500 dollars a week,” said Mabel.

One of Mabel and Gerald first foster kids was Theodore Johnson. Theodore (Tee) remembers that summer day when he was only 10 when he and his younger siblings where take into foster care, “I was taken to another home while my younger siblings were taken to Mabel and Gerald’s. I moved from one house to another but eventually I got to be with my siblings,” said Tee.

“Life was different from before, was hard, and I didn’t know them. The unknown was the hardest. Not long after, it felt like home, plus I had my siblings. Made thing easier living with my siblings,” said Tee.

“Keeping the family connection was important to us. Our foster kids had to know who their family members were, cousins, uncles, great aunts and so on. Gerald kept the boys busy with sports, ball and hockey and kids were always playing sports outside. I took care of them like our own and Mi'kmaq was only spoken in our homes and education was important,” said Mabel.

If you know Tee and his foster Francis brothers they were all about sports, especially ball. “Sports was a big thing at the house. Gerald would take us to ball games and took us to hockey in town. Gerald loved sports and growing up we always watch him play hockey and ball,” said Tee.

Foster Care & Adoption Supervisor, Sheraine Young of MFCSNS fondly remembers always hanging out at the Francis residence, “Growing up, their home was always packed with kids, it was an inviting home and we were always fed, it was a welcoming home. And it's still like that today,” said Sheraine.

As a Supervisor for foster care, Sheraine says Gerald and Mabel have been a godsend when we needed to take children into care, “They have been fostering for many years, many time when we were stuck they would help until we found another placement,” said Sheraine, “And they have taken sibling groups over the years. Ensure children are kept together. Being placed with your siblings will help while the parents get the help they need.”

“They understand the family connection and that all families are unique. Mabel would always tell the children who they are, who they are related, and who's their family. Children need to know that and that they know where they belong. Keep the family connections,” said Sheraine.

Mabel and Gerald were fortunate that they never went to residential school but Mabel has witness first-hand what residential school has done to the core of Mi’kmaw families, “When kids were in residential school and when they grew up they didn't know how to be mothers,” said Mabel.

Executive Director of MFCSNS, Arlene Johnson, knows all too well what residential school has done to Mi’kmaq families and Native families throughout Canada, “The trauma and abuse experienced by those who went to residential schools continues to have a lasting effect in our Mi’kmaw families. Today the intergenerational impact are felt through our children.”

“We have gone to Gerald and Mabel for over 30 years and they know the effects of residential school and we are so grateful to have such loving and generous foster parents,” said Arlene, “By sharing their story as foster parents this is our way to say ‘Thank You’ for all you have done for MFCSNS.”

“They have amazed me throughout the years,” said Sheraine, “I would like to thank Mabel and Gerald Robert and their family for being that loving, caring, home. They both have a big hearts and truly love children. We can't even thank them enough for being there for us. Even their own children have played a role in taking care of the foster kids.”

“The values I have today are from the actions of how Gerald and Mabel treated each other and how they treated us while growing up. Without realizing, I too have those same qualities today, to be respectful, be kind and treat people the way you want to be treated. Today me and my wife are also foster parents,” said Tee.

“Thank you for everything,” said Tee, “If it wasn't for them I would not have nothing. They gave me a chance to live my life normally. I don't think of them as foster parents I take them as my real parents. Just want to wish my parents Gerald and Mabel a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and thank you for everything you have done for us.”

And to this day Gerald Robert and Mabel go about their everyday lives without any praise or accolades but the rewards they receive is the love they get in return.

In Mabel’s words, “It is hard to be a foster parent, you get emotionally involved. You have to really think it over if you want to be foster parent. It will affect your family but I have no regrets.”

Mi’kmaw Family and Children Services of Nova Scotia recently presented Gerald Robert and Mabel Francis a certificate in appreciation for 30 years of being foster parents. Amazingly, Gerald and Mabel have taken in 87 foster kids in 31 years. Today they have 6 foster children in care.