Derek Godfrey played football at Lowndes High School for three years and ran track for two years.

One of the most thoughtful and selfless things a person can do is foster or adopt a child in need. It may not be a very easy choice for some, and definitely not one a person usually makes overnight, but the experience can be very rewarding for both parent and child.

Just ask Don and Rhonda Richardson of Valdosta. They saw children of different ages and ethnicities who desperately needed a safe and loving place to go and decided to be that place. While most people going into the system request babies or small children, the Richardsons did not discriminate. They opened their home to a 15-year-old African-American boy who came with his share of issues.

It wasn’t the most difficult decision for the Richardsons to make, but it was yet another difficult move for the troubled teen.

Derek Godfrey went to the Richardson home with a lot of anger, confusion, worry and sadness. This was not his first or even second home. This was the sixth place he had to call home for a time no one really knew. In the beginning, he refused to allow himself to become comfortable. He told himself he probably would not be there for long, so he was only going to “give these people very little of himself.”

Today, Godfrey, 19 — he will turn 20 on June 22 — is happily still residing with the Richardsons. He calls them Mama and Dad. He has his own room, which he was not used to before, and enjoys time with his 2- and 5-year-old foster brothers and almost 2-year-old foster niece.

In May, he graduated from Lowndes High School where he played football for three years and ran track for two. He was very happy to graduate as a Viking and remembers a time when he was told he may have to switch schools and become a Valdosta High Wildcat. This news did not sit very well with the very passionate young man.

Now that he has graduated, his future plans include attending Wiregrass Georgia Technical College (currently Valdosta Technical College until July), finding a job and getting his own apartment.

Life is a lot better for him now but wasn’t always so sweet.

Godfrey lived with his mother, stepfather and five siblings. His mood seemed to change somewhat when recalling the instability of his home life and separation of his siblings.

“My mom left and was gone for three days,” he said. “We didn’t know where she was. I used to be a pretty loud person but was starting to withdraw, I guess. My teacher, Mr. Berry, noticed the changes in me and pulled me aside one day.”

Berry was Godfrey’s fifth grade teacher at Hahira Middle School.

“I really liked him,” Godfrey said. “We got attached.”

After he told his teacher what was going on at home, Berry asked if he wanted to stay at his house for a while. Godfrey didn’t mention the details of his home life during this interview but said, “There were a lot of family issues going on.” He said he was “happy to go to Mr. Berry’s home.”

He was told by social services that he had to be with a relative.

“My auntie took my older brother, my sister and me in,” he said. “My two younger brothers, who are twins, and the brother under me went with their dad. After some time, my older brother and I went to a group home, where I stayed for approximately four months. My auntie came and got my brother out but left me there. I really missed my brother. I didn’t know why she didn’t get me out, too.”

In the meantime, Henry and Patricia Berry, his teacher’s parents, said they would take in the young teen and proceeded to look into the foster care system.

“Mrs. Pat went through the whole foster care training and everything just to take me in,” he said. “That was really nice of her. She didn’t have to do that.”

When the process was done, he moved in.

Life was better for Godfrey, but then he was told that they would be moving and he would have to attend Valdosta High School. He was less than excited because that was “the rival school.” He said he tried it, but after a few football practices that summer, he “couldn’t do it.” After all the adapting he already had to do in his short life, he didn’t think he could adapt to VHS. He had already been through so much at Lowndes and had a support system there.

Godfrey talked to his caseworker about the school situation, and his caseworker approached the Richardsons. Godfrey soon moved in with them and started the school year at Lowndes High. He said he was very appreciative of the Berrys and didn’t want to leave after the lengths they had gone through for him. He lived with them for approximately one year.

The Richardsons took in other teenagers in addition to Godfrey and had three biological children of their own. When they decided to take in more children, Godfrey wasn’t initially fond of that idea. He asked them why they wanted more children. He was concerned that there wouldn’t be enough time and love for him or that he would bond with them and they would eventually be taken away.

Things may have turned around for the young man now, but his foster sister-in-law remembers the “troublemaker” who first came to live with the Richardsons.

“When he first came, he was an angry kid,” Heather Richardson said. “He was a troublemaker, always getting into something. He kept pretty much to himself at first and wouldn’t open up to anyone.”

She said it wasn’t until Godfrey got involved in sports that his attitude started to improve.

“Being involved in sports and other activities really helped him. We saw a big improvement,” she said.

Rhonda Richardson added that the involvement the Department of Family and Children Services had with him was a big help as well.

Not only did his attitude improve, but Godfrey has become very particular about his appearance.

“It literally takes him an hour to get ready in the mornings,” Heather Richardson laughed. “He is just like a female when it comes to putting his clothes together. He is very stylish. Everything has to match.”

Don Richardson said that if the family plans to go somewhere at 9 o’clock, they have to tell Godfrey 8 o’clock.

Godfrey has had the same steady girlfriend for the past three years now. He bashfully and discreetly spoke very few words about her. He said now that school is out for the summer, he plans to spend some time with her but mainly plans to spend time having fun with his “boys.”

While in high school, his two favorite subjects were math and science. His extended education will begin at Wiregrass Georgia Technical College and, hopefully, move on to Valdosta State University after the first year. His future plans include opening a restaurant and making music.

“I have always had a passion for cooking and music,” he said. “I used to watch my (biological) mom and grandma in the kitchen.”

As for this summer, Godfrey is looking for employment and hopes to be able to return to his previous employer, Wild Adventures Theme Park.

“I worked there for two years and just waiting to hear back from them,” he said. “I’ve been applying at some other places as well.”

The job will help him secure an apartment. As a ward of the state, he is entitled to benefits from the Independent Living Program through DFCS. It assists individuals with rent, items needed for school, etc. The money earned from employment will help with costs not covered by the program. Godfrey said he wants to live as independently as possible. Although he appreciates all those who have been there, he is ready to finally make a way for himself.

The talented teen has already started working on just that. For three years, he was a guest speaker at the Foster Parent Appreciation banquet. He has also performed poetically and musically in talent shows, at a Christian school, and a church and has won two interviews on live radio. Godfrey has already made a few Christian rap CDs and looking forward to seeing what his passions may lead to.

Godfrey doesn’t have regrets about his life, nor does he hold any animosity towards his mother. They have restored their relationship and see each other whenever possible. He’s also in constant communication with his stepfather and siblings.

“I believe everything happens for a reason,” he said, “and I’m just thankful. I know I’m a better, stronger person today because of the route my life took.”