News : Faces of Benton County: Jen Rowray

Meet Jen Rowray, a Newhall resident who spent more than twelve years as a foster parent for more than 50 kids and today works to create inclusive environments for all Iowans.

Jen is the seventh nomination to the Family Nurturing Council's Faces of Benton County campaign. Jen was nominated by her friend Jen Loeb.

"Jen Rowray has dedicated her life to lifting up others in the community," Loeb wrote on Jen's nomination form. "She does this in many ways but one of the most important things she has done was to not only open her home to foster children, but to take it a step further and adopt them."

"We fostered for twelve years," Jen explained of her and her former spouse Rita DeVenney's time spent fostering.

"We would have kept going but financially it was difficult and we wanted to refocus on our adopted kids as they reached their teens and adulthood."

Rita-who unexpectedly passed away in December-and Jen eventually became the parents of six children-Kayla, Hunter, Robert, Corbin, Lori, and Colton-after first making a connection with each child through foster care.

"On average we had nine kids in the house on a normal basis," Jen said. "Anywhere from six months to two or three years. [Iowa] is in such terrible need for foster parents, we had constant phone calls and we had the room."

Jen said fostering naturally led to adoption, explaining: "When they're in your home for years, you get attached."

Today, Jen is no longer a foster parent but she continues working with youth as the president of PFLAG-Cedar Rapids by providing guidance to those identifying as members of the LBGTQ+ community and their families. She has held the volunteer role for the past three years.

Founded in 1973, PFLAG was the first-and continues to be the largest-organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) people, their parents and families, and allies.

"I do a lot of public speaking," Jen said of her PFLAG role. "You have to meet people where they are…What a lot of time sounds like hate, is fear. People are worried for their kids."

From school assemblies to large companies, Jen works to educate the public about inclusivity.

"I really do get the fear. I get where parents [in particular] are coming from…but you don't have to understand to be kind."

Jen also mentors young people, letting them know they are valuable just for being themselves.

"Her love and compassion for people in need know no bounds," Loeb wrote in regards to Jen's advocacy work. "And the world is better for it."

Thank you, Jen, for being an everyday hero and a force for good in our

community and throughout Iowa!