Kidron's Hope's House helps support the fostering community
Hope's House, a foster closet opened in 2022 by Julie Kerby and located in Sonnenberg Village in Kidron, has helped support the fostering community within Wayne County and the surrounding counties.
The thought of fostering can be daunting. It’s easy to ignore the needs local children have. Hope’s House, a foster closet opened in 2022 by Julie Kerby and located in Sonnenberg Village in Kidron, has been an enormous support to the fostering community within Wayne County and the surrounding counties.
Dave and Julie Kerby fostered for almost 19 years and had over 100 children in and out of their home.
“I had four friends who also fostered, and we had a support system,” Julie Kerby said. “We swapped items — cribs, car seats, et cetera — when we got different placements. And when we decided we were done fostering, I wanted to keep on doing something. This was a God thing. This is something I always wanted, and I envisioned this.”
When a foster family comes through Hope’s House’s doors, located in the Bixler House, they are greeted by Julie Kerby, who helps them think through everything they might need. With access all year round and every hour of the day, Kerby is there to help.
“I hope to have 90-100% of everything a new placement might need,” Kerby said.
Kerby has plastic bins and tubs neatly stacked, labeled and organized with the size and type of clothing from preemie up to adult sizes, as well as formula, diapers, wipes, strollers, car seats — anything a child might need. Foster kids often come with just the clothes on their backs.
“We aspire to build self-esteem and confidence for every child,” Kerby said. “We want these children to feel loved and valued.”
In 2024 around 200 children in Wayne County went through the foster care system. However, there were only about 19 families in Wayne County that were licensed as foster parents, down from higher numbers before the pandemic.
“We urgently need more foster parents in Wayne County,” said Anna Fink, public relations coordinator at Wayne County Children’s Services. “When children can stay in their own community, it reduces their stress by keeping them close to familiar schools, friends and support systems.”
New or very gently worn clothes are already laundered, and families can get a week’s worth of freezer meals.
“The first week with a new placement is busy, taking the child to the doctor and helping them adjust to a new home and cope through what they’ve been through,” Kerby said. “Sometimes, it’s just what we need to be able to bless our families with, to keep them going.”
Hope’s House accepts new or gently used items, but monetary donations are easier.
“For instance, I just realized I had no size eight toddler tennis shoes for boys or girls, so I could use donated money to go buy a couple of pairs,” Kerby said.
Having a financial cushion to buy what she needs is helpful as needs fluctuate.
Volunteers also can take tags off new clothing items, make freezer meals or help in other ways. Those interested in volunteering can send a message on Facebook or call Kerby at 330-439-2236.
Checks can be made out to Hope’s House and mailed to Sonnenberg Village, P.O. Box 234, Kidron, OH 44636-0234, or Pure Gift of God, P.O. Box 292, Berlin, OH 44610. Donations also can be made using Venmo and sent to Hope’s House. Items can be dropped off at Hope’s House in Sonnenberg Village, 13497 Hackett Road, Apple Creek.
“I couldn’t do this without the support of all the people in the village,” Kerby said. “They have also built shelves and a work table in the basement. Hope’s House would be impossible without the help from volunteers and people who donate items or offer financial support.”