CELEBRATION HONORS NATIONAL FOSTER CARE
MONTH
KidsPeace
FCCP office in Duncansville, PA, joined with Arrow Child & Family
Ministries of Hollidaysburg to honor area foster and adoptive families at a
recognition banquet May 20th from 6- 9 p.m. at The Casino at
Lakemont Park in Altoona.
Thanks
to a generous grant from the Adoption Coalition of the State of PA, Department
of Public Welfare, a total of 125 adults attended the event and enjoyed a
wonderful meal and informative presentations.
The
event included a dinner and awards followed by a panel discussion
featuring: Mark Tennant,
Founder/CEO, Arrow Child & Family Ministries; Maryanne Burger,
Administrator, Blair Country Children, Youth & Family; Kim Walkingshaw,
Statewide Adoption Network (SWAN); President Judge Jolene Grubb Kopriva; Paul
and Maribeth Mills, KidsPeace Resource Family; Troy and Jodie Campbell, Arrow
Ambassador Family.
“This
event was be an excellent way to show how valued these families are and to
amplify the need for more families to come forward to care for children in need
of foster care or adoption,” said Melinda Shea, Program Director, Arrow Child
& Family Ministries.
According
to KidsPeace Program Manager Tammi Yeckley, speakers included KidsPeace and Arrow Child & Family
Ministries Staff, Judge Jolene Kopriva, Director of Blair County
Children, Youth & Families, Maryanne Burger, Kim Walkingshaw from
SWAN (Statewide Adoption and Permanency Network). Other attendants included
several Blair CYS Supervisors and caseworkers, representatives from Bedford
Bounty CYS, a couple of Guardian ad litem attorneys, and many foster and/ or
adoptive families, as well as families interested in beginning the process of
becoming foster or adoptive parents. The local YMCA provided child care service
for all of the foster/adoptive families’ children.
Gift baskets and certificates were
provided to all attending and active resource families; CYS caseworker awards
were also given to those that were nominated. Food was excellent and feedback
we have received thus far has been really wonderful.
The
evening also included “Heart Gallery,” featuring a video and photo gallery of
Pennsylvania children who are available for adoption. The event is funded through a grant from the Adoption
Coalition of the State of PA, Department of Public Welfare.
For
more information on how to become a foster or adoptive parent in Pennsylvania,
please call KidsPeace at 888-336-7708.