Sharon L. Fulton has read a lot of children's books over the years.

Are they angels or fairies?

Or fairies?

Her modest house has been a refuge to more than 40 children in her hometown of Philadelphia.

Mostly what I've done is emergency placement, so that means that they've been taken from

their family and they don't understand why they're hurting.

They come to you mostly with no clothing.

It's to that jagged edge of a child's pain that Sharon L. Fulton applies the balm of religious

faith.

My goal with the children is to reach out, find a way, give them some time, show them some

love, be there when they need you.

I let them know that they're welcome here.

You are welcome here and I'm happy that you're with us.

Making care of a hurting child isn't easy and you don't go it alone.

You know, the biggest thrill that I get is when they're all asleep and I can walk through

and look at their little faces and check their dirty hands and I said, I got this.

This is what I want to do.

For Sharon L. Fulton, over the past 26 years, that crucial partner is Philadelphia's Catholic

social services.

But in March 2018, the city of Philadelphia blocked Catholic social services from certifying

homes for children, including Fultons after so many years.

Foster families in Philadelphia have filed a lawsuit to end a city policy.

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