Natalie's Everyday Heroes: Woman creates mobile family closet for foster and adoption support
WAUKESHA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- This week's Everyday Heroes show us that a family can be created in a lot of different ways. Chosen, Inc. has been providing foster and adoption support in Waukesha for 11 years. This summer, they're taking the show on the road to reach more families.
Amalie Bowling
Amalie Bowling is always looking for new ways to help, and if that means transforming a box truck into a mobile boutique, that's exactly what she's doing to do.
"We have all of our baby items in here," Bowling, Chosen's executive director, said.
Chosen's new mobile family closet has everything a family would need to help take care of their kids.
Something Amalie realized is much needed when she became a parent herself.
"My husband and I became foster parents in 2015," she said. "And when we got our first placement, we had about 30 minutes before we got a call and he was on our doorstep."
She started Chosen 11 years ago to support families through fostering and adoption. It's something of a family legacy.
"So, I'm adopted, actually. And my mom and dad told my brother and I that we were chosen twice. Once by God and then once by them," she said.
Her mom, Karen Schlindwein, is Chosen's board president.
"My mom and dad were foster parents when I was young. And so, I knew at a real early age that families can look different," Schlindwein said.
Schlindwein passed that on to Amalie.
"I remember, I was ten years old and I told my mom, I'm going to adopt a lot of kids someday! And, well, I did," she said with a laugh.
"She said it back then and I remember just holding it in my heart and thinking I wonder what's going to happen with this," Schlindwein said.
Amalie and her husband adopted four children.
Chosen was a natural step.
There's a location in Waukesha where families can come and get what they need for free.
"These actually look brand new," said client, Traci Kouhel.
Kouhel has been fostering for 18 years.
"I currently have placement of twins. They are 17 months old and they've been with me about 10 months," she said.
In 2018, she adopted her daughter, Olivia.
"Olivia was just a miracle. Truly a miracle to us," Kouhel said.
Olivia Kouhel
A former nurse, Kouhel cares for children with medical needs.
She knows how difficult it can be to shop with little kids.
Which brings us back to the mobile closet.
Chosen will now be able to meet their families where they are.
"This is going to make a huge impact on our community," Kouhel said.
Choosing to put families first.
"I just get to love people, and I love loving people. Because it's just so rewarding," Bowling said.
Chosen helps between 200 and 300 families each year.
They will be posting locations on social media where the mobile closet will be. For more information, visit Chosen.
If you'd like to nominate an Everyday Hero, send Natalie a message at [email protected].