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When Marcie and Brad Prinzi opened their home for foster care placements through Hillside, they did so with clarity about their role. They understood the importance of foster care as a way of supporting both children and families—and they wanted to be part of a process that would result, whenever possible, in children being reunited with their biological families.
“There are always unknowns when a child enters our home,” Marcie shared, “but we’re committed to being fierce advocates for them, providing steady love and a family willing to walk alongside them for as long as they need it.”
In 2022, four-year-old Malaykah came to live with the Prinzis. Brad and Marcie knew that reunification with her biological father was a clear ultimate goal—but first, a better understanding was needed of Malaykah’s developmental delays and the steps needed to ensure her long-term support.
As they set about finding the right services to fully diagnose Malaykah’s needs, appointments, evaluations, therapy sessions and school meetings became part of the family’s routine, and everyday activities—from grocery shopping to attending events with the blended family—became more complex.
“Those changes could be challenging,” Brad said, “but we knew that was part of the commitment we made—to embrace both the challenges and the growth that came with them.”
Whenever they felt unsure about how to navigate a situation, they knew they had an advocate of their own in Hillside. “They anticipate needs before we even have to voice them,” said Brad. “They’re responsive, thoughtful and solution-focused. When we bring a concern forward, we feel heard and supported.”
With her care pathways and supportive services established, Malaykah returned home to her biological dad after living with the Prinzis for more than a year. “We often hear people say, ‘I couldn’t give them back,’” Marcie reflected. “But while reunification may seem like the hardest part of foster care, it’s actually the reason we do this, because even though it’s difficult to say goodbye, it means a child can safely return to their family.”
Still, the bond that formed during their time together continued. Today, Malaykah and her father remain in touch with the Prinzis, and she occasionally returns to their home for occasional overnight visits—maintaining a heartfelt connection with the Prinzis’ blended family. “The greatest reward of fostering is the relationships: We see the children and their families as an extension of our own family,” Brad said.
Marcie agreed. “Once a child returns home, they may no longer be with us every day, but they remain part of our family, and our children always look forward to any time they can spend together.”
The Prinzis are currently fostering another child, continuing their commitment to making a difference for kids and families alike.