For nearly 25 years, Frederick resident Gloria Parsley and her husband, Joe, opened their homes to foster children. The couple adopted their first foster child and then went on to foster over 40 children and young adults. In 2005, the Parsleys were awarded Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments’ Foster and Adoptive Parents of the Year, which recognizes the essential role that adults play in the lives of young people in need. Along with their adopted daughter, Gloria and Joe have four biological children who grew up sharing their home with children in crisis. Here’s a closer look at this loving, close-knit family.
This interview was edited for length and clarity.
Tell me about your family. Why did you decide to foster?
Oldest to youngest, Jessica is a music teacher, Melissa runs Frederick Shell Carwash, Danielle owns a hair salon, MaryJo is an art therapist and our youngest, Joey, is a computer programmer. We also have a “daughter-in-love,” Lea, who lived with us during her high school years and on and off as a young adult. We’ve been blessed with 10 grandchildren.
[Fostering] was truly a calling. When children come to your home by a judge’s decree, they are at rock bottom. They’ve been removed for their own safety by the authorities perspective, but from the child’s perspective, they have lost everything — their home, family, friends and usually their school. There’s a lot of resentment, fear and anger.
The first decade or so, we only took in girls because we had daughters. We would get a call with the child’s info, which was usually very minimal — age, gender, maybe their school. My children saw them move in with very little and grew up being sympathetic and generous, sharing their family, home and possessions.
Would you tell me about your career?
I managed international nonprofit associations and planned annual conferences. At one point, I was the executive director for the Maryland Foster and Adoptive Parent Association. I conducted training for potential foster and adoptive parents in both Frederick and Loudon counties for 10 years. The training program was designed to show the reality of foster care. These fragile children have suffered severe trauma and have triggers. Parents need to go into it with their eyes wide open. I like to compare getting a new placement in a family to a mobile. You hang something new on it, and it swings kind of crazy for a while until it gets into a new balance and a new routine is established.
What about Joe’s business?
Joe owned Frederick Shell Carwash; for decades, he held the annual fundraiser for the Fredrick County Foster and Adoptive Parent Association. When he retired, Melissa bought the business, and she’s continued hosting the fundraiser. Melissa also hires people coming out of recovery and gives them a second chance.
What were the best parts of being a foster parent?
It was a calling for me. I grew up with trauma, but I had neighbors who let me flee to their house whenever I needed it. So, I know the value of having that safe place to escape to. It’s invaluable for every child. We were blessed with a big house and a lot of love. My children are all very kind people. They learned the value of helping those in need and giving back to the community.
Family Favorites
Book: “I’ll Love You Forever”
Weekend Activities: Camping
Vacation Spot: Ocean City, with more than 100 extended family; Massanutten skiing in the winter
Family Outings: Games, sporting Events and concerts
Games: Memory, Uno, chess
