The G.A. Family Services hosted their annual Foster Parent Appreciation Dinner recently at the Pearl Street Bar and Grill with a 1920 -1930’s party theme.

Kicking off the dinner party was Patricia Baker, a family resource coordinator for G.A. Family Services. Immediately following Baker’s welcome comments dinner was served.

“For dinner we were served pizza, wings, pierogies, rigatoni and other tasty food,” said Kathleen Maynard, a family resource coordinator with the G.A. organization. “It was a beautiful evening to recognize the hard work each and every one of our families and staff put into the lives of our youth.”

According to the National Foster Parent Association, foster care is described as “the temporary placement of children and youth with families outside of their own home due to child abuse or neglect. The goal is to provide a safe, stable, nurturing environment.” Additionally, while requirements may differ from state-to-state, there are several similar generalities. Generalities include completion of an application for family home license; background check, criminal history check and fingerprinting of each adult member of the household; having family stability; home inspection and personal interview/interviews; character references check/checks, and the applicant must be a minimum of age of 21, unless the applicant is a blood related.

Staff members of the G.A. Family Services adorned 1920’s themed costumes, May 9, during an appreciation party for the organizations foster families. Staff from its Jamestown and West Seneca offices were present. Submitted Photo

“Becoming a foster parent takes commitment,” said Maynard. “Generally speaking, when we place a child, they’ve been through some type of trauma and working with children who’ve been hurt, injured or neglected can be challenging. That’s part of the reason we held this dinner party. …our foster parents are amazing, wonderful people and we want to recognize and honor them.”

The G.A. Family Services recognized the following foster parents.

Two-years- Jacqueline Brooks, Carrie and Joseph Calabrese, Anna and Matthew Crouch, Carrie Florea, Nicole and Ismael Gonzalez, Jessica Holmes, Dan and Logan Kibler Halewski Reed, Rachael and Jeremiah Kohlbacher, Allison and Jonathan O’Connor and Latrina Robinson.

Five-years- Keren and Doug Abel, Jessica Maldonado and Lexter Villalobos, Kaitlyn Matthews, Carrie and Patrick Murphy, Tracy Thompson-Reilly and Karen and Ronald Tocze.

10-year recognition- Tara and Philip Meiler.

From Left Phil Meier, Jeremiah and Rachel Kohlbacher with their son Jonah, Katherine and Kyle Hedberg, Ron and Karen Toczek and Tara Meiler attended a G.A. Family Services, 1920’s themed party, May 9 to honor the hard work, commitment and dedication of some of the organization’s foster parents. Submitted photo

20-year recognition- Lori Palys.

While becoming a foster parent appears to be a long and daunting task, Maynard says differently.

“We have a 10-week class, which runs one time a week, on Wednesday evenings, then some background checks, fingerprints, home visits and a few other administrative things. It’s really not that bad and it’s for a great cause.”

For those who would like to support the foster care system, but do not want to become a foster parent, Maynard says there are other ways individuals and organizations like churches can help with.

“We can always use personal hygiene items and school items such as pens, pencils, folders, notebooks and markers,” she said.

For Maynard and the foster parents, working with children isn’t so much about the job as it is about making a difference in children’s lives within their care.

“The children that come into care didn’t ask to be placed there, but with the dedication and advocacy from these families and the agency we hope to provide them with a safe and successful future,” she said.

For more information contact (716) 708-6161 or kjackowski@lutheran-jamestown.org.