From surviving to thriving: Haven Hills Foster Care Community aims to provide Bismarck foster care housing, therapy and more

BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) - For Amber Bohl, the title “foster mom” has become her norm.

She’s had close to 90 kids come through her home, but she now has her hands full with her biggest project to date: Haven Hills Foster Care Community.

But to understand what this community would provide, you must first know Bohl’s “why.”

The answer for her was Madison Gray.

“My sister and I got split up. She lived with this one foster parent, and I lived with another one,” said Gray.

But then, she met Bohl.

“I know God put me on this earth to be a mom— if it’s a foster mom, if it’s a bio mom, if it’s an adoptive mom, whatever if it,” said Founder and CEO of Haven Hills Foster Care Community Amber Bohl.

For Gray, Bohl was a first: a first lifeline, source of consistency, first chance at hope.

“I was her first foster kid. That was pretty nerve-wracking too,” said Gray.

After losing a baby of her own at 24 weeks, Bohl got a much-needed push from her pastor.

“The pastor was looking at me dead in the eye, and he was like, ‘When are you going to stop walking up to the plate and watching the ball go by? When are you going to just take a swing?’” said Bohl.

That swing led Bohl to become Gray’s foster mom. But that lesson led her to her calling: Haven Hills Foster Care Community.

“It will be a cul de sac of homes. We’re just going to put it on some acres where every home is a licensed foster family, so we know exactly what the person’s needs are,” said Bohl.

With multiple fundraisers under Bohl’s belt, she said she’s ready to get the roughly 80-acre project going.

But Bohl’s dreams of offering five types of on-site therapy, parks, a community center and a go-cart track have hit a snag.

She found property north of Bismarck, but not everyone in the area is excited.

“I’ve got a lot of concerns about this thing. There’s a project that they’re putting in. It’s like a whole big housing development is coming in there,” said north Bismarck resident Donny Shoner.

“I understand it’s a noble idea, but out in the middle of the country out there— it’s not the place for a foster community,” said north Bismarck resident John Sullivan.

“So, if there is anyone out there that would be willing to just donate like 60, 80 or 100 acres within like 20 to 25 miles of the Bismarck/Mandan area, we could literally put a shovel in the ground tomorrow,” said Bohl.

Foster care has provided Bohl a chance to be the mom she’s always wanted and Gray a chance to thrive.

“She’s never given up on a single person. I’ve never seen her give up on any foster kid she’s had, not even me. I’m not even her kid anymore, but she still has never given up on me,” said Gray.

Gray’s sister now has her forever home with Bohl.

And Bohl said the community has a chance to pass that opportunity forward.

Bohl said she’s also taken steps to secure a “transitional house” for kids who are between homes or dealing with behavioral issues.

If you’re interested in helping the cause, you can visit HavenHillsCommunity.org for information on the project and fundraising events.