The porch light is on, welcoming the next guest. Laughter fills the game room and dinner is just about served.
"It certainly is a home in every sense of the word. Myself and my wife live here, 24/7. This is our job and our life," said John Tezel.
For John and Allyson Tezel, life includes sheltering three kids and raising three of their own at Boys Town, an emergency children's shelter in Portsmouth.
"They're damaged, abused, neglected, abandoned -- whatever it may be. They come in and need nurturing, love, support, positive encouragement, and all the things we're able to provide," said John Tezel.
Boys Town, like two other emergency shelters for children in the state, is in limbo. In November, the state Department of Children, Youth and Families announced it would close the shelters by January and move toward building a stronger foster care system instead of group homes.
The news came as a bit of a shock.
"In my opinion, it didn't leave a lot of planning time and when I say planning time, we're talking about young children, their families and Boys Town staff," said Boys Town executive director Bill Reardon.
Gov. Lincoln Chafee delayed the closings until the end of February so a review could take place.
It's breathing room for Boys Town and the Tezel family, which is trying to transform the shelter into a new emergency foster home network.
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement