May is National Foster Care Month
May 2, 2008May is National Foster Care Month, and Athens County Children Services wants to take this opportunity to thank our foster parents for the work they do caring for Athens children and families. By opening their home and heart, foster parents play a vital role in helping children and families in crisis heal.
Athens County foster families not only provide temporary homes, safety, and nurturing to children, but they also help birth families by ensuring that children can be safely reunited with them. And, when reunification is not possible, many of our families choose to adopt the children who have been placed in their homes, offering permanency and stability the children would otherwise not know.
The commitment of our foster parents leaves an indelible mark on generations to come. They are helping to end cycles of neglect, abuse and/or drug addiction and are often helping a child be the first in his or her family to finish high school or even go to college. Children leave our foster homes knowing there are many other paths in life than what they've known.
Foster Parents don't get nearly enough thanks or recognition for their efforts but we appreciate all they do.
Thank you for sharing your family and your home, giving love, encouragement, and hope to children and families in need.
Athens County Children Services Annual Foster Parent Recognition Banquet
Athens County Children Services held its Annual Foster Parent Recognition Banquet on May 20, 2005 at the Athens Community Center. This annual event is held to recognize the contributions of foster parents.
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Foster Parents of the Year, Richard and Lucy Behmr. |
"Foster Parents don't get nearly enough thanks or recognition for their efforts but we appreciate all they do," said Andrea Reik, Interim Executive Director, Athens County Children Services. Adding, "The commitment of our foster parents allows children to leave our foster homes knowing there are many other paths in life than what they've known."
Highlighting this year's event was the Foster Parents of the Year award given to Richard and Lucy Behm. The Behm's have been successful foster parents for over six years, working closely with parents and children to return the children to their family as quickly as possible.
Since May is National Foster Care Month, Athens County Children Services hosts the annual recognition banquet during this time to thank our foster parents for the work they do caring for Athens children and families. By opening their home, foster parents play a vital role in helping children and families in crisis heal.
Athens County foster families provide temporary homes, safety, and nurturing to children. In addition, they also help birth families by ensuring that children can be safely reunited with them. And, when reunification is not possible, many of our families choose to adopt the children who have been placed in their homes, offering permanency and stability the children would otherwise not know.
