Jessica Lewis from Dorchester County is a great example of the unexpected joy that comes with fostering a child with love. Her journey began in 1996 when she and her husband got married and had their first child, who unfortunately passed away. Amidst their grief, they thought of how they could help other kids who were in need of parents. That’s when they enquired about foster care.

The first year of their journey was interesting, as they had to attend classes physically for nine weeks, a couple of times a week, to learn how to parent children from difficult backgrounds or who have had challenges or traumas. They received their certificate in February and got their first call in March about the first baby that needed to be placed.

Jessica recalls how excited she was when she got the call while at work. The call was basically to ask if they could take an infant boy at 4 o’clock that afternoon. She said yes without knowing the baby’s name, history or background. Looking back, she now knows that she should have asked more questions at the time. However, sometimes you just don’t have a lot of information, and all you know is that there’s a need, and you’re available to help.When the baby arrived, he was 16 weeks old, a beautiful baby whose outcome was uncertain. They were told that they didn’t know if the baby would be reunified with his parents or if a family member would step forward. There was no permanent plan at that time. But they ended up adopting the baby, and he is now their 14-year-old son.

She estimates that they’ve helped about two dozen children and encourages anyone who has an interest in fostering to contact the department and take the opportunity to learn about the classes.

Jessica’s story is a testament to the power of love and how it can transform the lives of children in need. It’s a call to action for anyone who has a heart for fostering to take that leap of faith and give children the love and care they deserve.

This video is approximately five minutes in length. To find out about becoming a foster parent please contact Dorchester County Dept of Social Services here, Kent County Social Services here, or Talbot County Department of Services here.

Next Saturday, Harriet Tubman will take her proper place in front of the Dorchester County Courthouse. With the support of the Alpha Genesis Community Development Corporation and sculptor Wesley Wofford, a permanent statue of one of America’s most remarkable heroines will be unveiled with perhaps a thousand or more residents and dignitaries paying homage to the native Dorchester County civil rights leader. 

For the record, another Harriet was there before. Alpha Genesis had arranged in 2020 for another sculpture (Journey to Freedom) by the same artist to be on display for a month before it eventually was moved into in a private collection in Texas. But the appearance of the first Harriet lit a fire with the community development corporation to courageously take on the task of finding close to $300,000 for the public art project. A stunning fundraising success story in its own right. 

Now, the fruit of that labor will be on display beginning September 10 (The Day of Resilience) and every day after that as Harriet’s image welcomes visitors to this building of justice. 

The Spy spent some time last month talking to Wesley Wofford about the project and his own unique journey with Harriet over the past few years and the particular challenges that come with depicting this American saint. 

This video is approximately four minutes in length.

The Day of Resilience commemoration and unveiling ceremony, which is free and open to the public, will begin at noon on Sept. 10 on the Dorchester County Courthouse lawn (206 High St., Cambridge, MD) and will feature Keynote Speaker Samuel C. Still III, a descendant of the famous Civil War Abolitionist William Still.

Videography by Henley Moore. An Eastern Shore native, Henley Moore’s favorite stories to tell are about her home. After graduating from St. John’s College in Annapolis she worked as a reporter with with Star Democrat, Video Producer for The National Aquarium, and  is currently a freelance photographer and videographer.