Michigan foster parents retiring after 56 years of service

Sep. 19--LAKE ODESSA -- Kay and Corwin Tischer have taken care of hundreds of children in the 56 years they've served as foster parents.

"It does put a positive role in these children's lives," Corwin Tischer said. "Without foster care, I don't know where'd we be."

Kay and Corwin Tischer are retiring as foster parents, having started in Ionia County in 1964. Beginning with Honey Creek Christian Homes and Wedgwood Christian Services, the Tischers are retiring after serving Bethany Christian Services for many years.

Bethany Christian Services visited the Tischers at their Lake Odessa home Thursday, Sept. 17, to thank them for their service. The Tischers received a plaque and clock to commemorate their service.

The Tischers started out in foster care in February 1964. After they married, the Tischers assisted a family member who had nine children and were struggling.

"We could see the needs," Corwin Tischer said. "We jumped in to help them out."

They offered to take care of two of the girls to lighten their load for a season. After the experience, the couple became interested in family care. They received a license and wanted to become involved.

"We felt the need to help someone," Kay Tischer said.

Since 1964, the Tischers have served 200-300 foster children and 18 foreign exchange students. They've also served as a soundboard and resource for children who've become parents.

As a foster parent, Kay Tischer would tell the children to not do anything she wouldn't have done.

"There's good in everybody no matter who you are," she said. "Whatever you did in the past, you learn from it so therefore it wasn't really wrong. You have to justify, go on and do what's right."

For those considering becoming a foster family, Corwin Tischer said to give it a try and see how it fits.

"When Kay and I started out, we realized that this wasn't going to work unless we were in it together," Corwin Tischer said. "We always based it that way. When one of us makes a decision, we always stick together with what decisions we make. Children can read right through if you're together or if you're not."

Timothy Nolan, the Holland branch director for Bethany Christian Services, said those wanting to become a foster family can fill out an application at their nearest agency that offers foster care. He is appreciative of the Tischers for their many years of service.

"They've been incredibly welcoming to the kids, especially some of the toughest kids from hard places," Nolan said. "It's just a very special family for us to know we have such a consistent, stable family that we can call on they'll say yes."

As of July 2020, there are 12,251 children in foster care in Michigan, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

The Tischers said if they could, they would do it all over again.

"It's worth it all," Kay Tischer said.

-- Contact reporter Evan Sasiela at esasiela@sentinel-standard.com. Follow him on Twitter @SalsaEvan.

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