08/15/2026
Celebrating 25 Years of Foster Care: Honoring Lashonda Abbott ❤️
Today, Kids R First Kansas had the incredible privilege of recognizing Lashonda Abbott for 25 years of dedicated service as a foster parent.
For a quarter of a century, Lashonda has opened her home and her heart to children in foster care. Throughout those years, she has continually stepped forward for children who needed an extraordinary level of patience, understanding, advocacy, and care.
Lashonda has cared for children experiencing significant behavioral and mental health needs, autism, medical needs, and other complex challenges—children who sometimes needed someone willing to see beyond a diagnosis, a behavior, or a difficult moment and recognize the child underneath it all.
And Lashonda has been that person.
For 25 years, she has provided more than a place to stay. She has provided stability during uncertainty, compassion during difficult moments, advocacy when children needed a voice, and a home where children could experience acceptance and belonging.
There is no way to measure 25 years of foster care simply by counting the years. Its true impact is found in the lives touched, the difficult days she stayed through, the milestones she celebrated, the children she advocated for, and the countless moments of love and patience that may never be seen by the rest of the world.
Lashonda, 25 years of saying “yes” to children in foster care is an extraordinary legacy.
On behalf of Kids R First Kansas, we are honored to celebrate you and recognize the difference you have made in the lives of children and families throughout our community.
Thank you for opening your home.
Thank you for taking on the difficult days.
Thank you for advocating.
Thank you for loving.
And most importantly, thank you for continuing to show up for children who need someone in their corner.
Please join us in congratulating Lashonda Abbott on 25 remarkable years of foster parenting! ❤️
