Hi! I am Stacey Bradford. I am proud to serve as a mentor for Utah Foster Care in the southwest region, where I get to walk alongside families on one of the most rewarding—and yes, challenging—journeys they will ever take. Over the last 11 years, my husband and I have welcomed 36 placements into our home. Each child has brought unique joys, heartaches, triumphs, and lessons that have deepened our own understanding of what it truly means to foster. Those experiences weren’t just about providing a safe place to land; they taught me the raw realities of the system, the emotional roller coaster of attachments and goodbyes, the late-night worries, the unexpected laughter, and the quiet victories that no one else sees.
That’s exactly why I became a mentor. I now have had the privilege of supporting 14 families as they navigate their own foster care paths. New foster parents often step into this world full of hope but also fear—fear of the unknown, of making mistakes, of the impact on their biological children, or of loving a child who might not stay forever. I remember those feelings vividly, and I love being the steady voice that says, “You’re not alone. This is normal. We’ve been there.”
Mentoring means celebrating the highs—like the first time a child calls you “Mom” or “Dad,” or when court goes better than expected. It also means sitting with the lows—when visits are heartbreaking, when behaviors test every limit, or when placement ends sooner than hoped. I guide families through paperwork mazes, share practical tips from real experience, and remind them why they said yes in the first place: to love children who need it most, even when it’s hard.
Being a mentor in Utah’s southwest region is my way of paying forward the grace we’ve received. If you’re considering fostering or already in the trenches, know this: the ride is intense, but the love is bigger. I’m honored to walk it with you if you ever want to reach out.
