Previous Recipients |
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2008 FOSTER PARENT OF THE YEAR
Joy, her husband Mark and their three adult children have been fostering for over 10 years with the Huron-Perth Children’s Aid Society. They adopted their first child in 1997. They have loved, and cherished him since their first visit to the hospital, and Joy home schooled him until he had the confidence, and skills to attend school without inappropriate behaviours. Joy gets to know each child in her care as individuals, and meets the specific needs of each child so that they may develop to their full potential. Joy works well with natural parents, and has taught parenting skills in her home, and at present time is working with her agency teaching parenting skills to natural parents. Her “strength based” teachings are closely related to her belief in resiliency. She is a very positive, loving, caring person, and full of compassion, and is very giving of herself. Joy has often hosted the “Living Room Learning groups in her home over the last three years, and was instrumental in their original concepts. Joy is a co-trainer in PRIDE since onset in 2004 in the Perth-Huron Agency, and is presently involved in training for other foster parents to lead PRIDE training. In the past two years she has also been a co-trainer with OACAS in the Train the Trainer course preparing staff and resource homes to train PRIDE. She was also part of the team to develop and Canadianize the PRIDE model in its initial stages. Unfortunately Joy and her husband Mark were unable to attend Conference 2008 to be presented the award, but photo above shows Steve Miners accepting the award from Richard Porter on her behalf. |
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2008 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Jean has been fostering for over 30 years, first with the Children’s Aid Society of Metropolitan Toronto and moving to Simcoe County in 1988. Over the years Jean has fostered many children, but there are some particular accomplishments. One of these was her dedication to a large sibling group over a fourteen year period, ending this year. This experience had its rewards and challenges, but Jean persevered. In 2006 she opened her home to a sibling group that had been separated and she continues to be committed to caring for these children long term. Jean and her partner Gord flew the children down east last summer for a family holiday, providing them with a wonderful experience, She continues to have an active role with their mother, and the children know that Jean respects their mother, and accepts her. Over the years Jean has been described as being consistent, firm, quietly competent, tolerant , has a good sense of humour, patience and that she sticks with the children, even when they are not angels. She respects and promotes the importance of the child’s natural family, and supports these positive aspects. Her love is unconditional and her heart if full. You often hear her laugh and you always feel welcome in her home. Pictured on the left is Heather Legault presenting Jean with her Life Time Achievement Award. |
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2007 FOSTER PARENT OF THE YEAR
John and Cathie Ridgeway completed their home study in December of 1981. At they time they had two children living at home, Jeff who was 17, and Lynette who was 9. As well they had to adult children residing away from home. In the first few years as a Foster Family they welcomed younger children and they were able to accompany Cathie to the Day Care Centre where she worked. Jamie their adopted some joined the family 23 years ago and remains at home as a valued member of the family. As their children grew so did their ability to foster older children. For the past 17 years the Ridgeway’s have been a RAFT home. Time and time again they have demonstrated their skill and dedication to provide emergency care for adolescents in crisis. Throughout the years John and Jamie have been supportive of Cathie’s passion to care for young people. It is a tribute to their openness, accepting manner, and flexibility that many of their former Foster Children have remained in contact with them. Some of their parents also keep in touch. Cathie not only reaches out to make a difference in the lives of young people, but often makes a connection with the parents. John is a quiet man who loves to play guitar, and sings, and not too long ago sang in the Roy Thompson Hall in Toronto. Cathie has a big heart for children and has many hidden talents. She is a history buff, and accomplished photographer, and is a published author. In 1991 she opened and successfully ran her own daycare. Cathy is well known in her community by parents and children who have benefited from the care they have received at Cathie’s Day Care. With Cathie’s hectic life she also manages to find time to sit on the agency board, as well as participating in numerous Board Committees, co-trained cluster groups, and training sessions and has held various position on her Foster Family Association. The skill and experience that she has brought to her various roles to support the agency and her FFA have been invaluable over the years. Cathie and John’s service to the young people of their community has been so appreciated, and the lives of those that have been so positively impacted and will be changed forever.
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2007 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Wayne and Laurie Martin have been fostering for the Services to Children, and Adults of Prescott-Russell for over 22 years. When they started fostering they had no children of their own, and jumped right in opening their doors to teenagers, some short term, some for respite, but most for permanent placements. From the start they were positive role models to both their foster children, and to their biological parents. They have always been willing to work with parents, and professionals to ensure the child’s best interests were at the centre of all interventions. Twenty years ago before the phrase resiliency, and having high expectations for our children were not the norm; this couple focused on wanted the best for the children in their home. Whether diagnosed with intellectual limitations, behavioral or other problems they always agreed to that they should have the same opportunities. One child in particular was encouraged to take piano lessons and tutoring services to help her academically. This teenager was able to graduate from high school and is living independently and is working full time. Another teenager changed her last name to theirs. Still another teenager presented her new spouse and child to the family. All of these children, now grown are still part of the Martin Family. They welcomed their biological son Ian to the family, and even during Ian’s Cancer treatments Ian and his family continued fostering. All of the youths coming into the home are brothers, and sisters to him. Laurie Martin has been President, and Vice President of the Foster Parents’ Association, and an avid communicator. She has been able to balance Foster Parent’s Rights, and the children’s best interest. Last year Wayne also joined the communicator team. Laurie and Wayne also understood that youths might not be prepared to adequately face adult life when they leave care. They advocated for the creation of the After-Care Fund where a youth could come back when in need either financially or otherwise to seek help even after the age of 23. The children that Wayne, Laurie, and Ian have welcomed into their home have always been treated as members of the family, and know stability, a sense of belonging, and acceptance. Even if they have left home, they always know that they are welcomed back with unconditional love, in the Martin home.
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2006 FOSTER PARENT OF THE YEAR
Elaine and Kevin Stell of the Sarnia-Lambton Foster Parents Association are recipients of the FPSO 2006 Foster Parent of the Year Award. Regional Director Mike Hoekstra (centre) presented a plaque to Elaine and Kevin at the awards banquet during the FPSO Annual Conference in Ottawa on April 29, 2006. Lorraine and Kevin moved from Montreal to Sarnia 24 years ago bringing their foster daughter with them. When she was first placed with the Stell’s at a little more than one year old it was with the Doctors’ opinion that she would be unresponsive all her life due to her diagnosis of Downs Syndrome. Elaine and Kevin adopted her at the age of ten and today at age 30 she is capable of communication and enjoys her employment and life with her family. The Stells have a large and wonderful family of nine and continue to provide daily assistance to a severely handicapped child after placement 22 years ago. Well over 60 children have passed through their doors in the last ten years. During this time they have successfully fostered a number of teenaged girls to happy endings. They credit their success to being good listeners and providing consistency in their role as caregivers. In the last few years the Stells have moved to fostering infants. They believe that foster parenting is very rewarding and helps keep them young. They believe their own children have benefited growing up in a foster home. In fact, their eldest son and his family are also foster parents. Foster Parent of the Year Award is to recognize a foster parent or family who have demonstrated exceptional accomplishments in the field of fostering (Information for this article was submitted by Deanna Pitka, President Lambton Foster Parents Association.) |
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2006 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Lorraine Paddock (left) of the Guelph-Wellington Foster Family Association was the recipient of the FPSO 2006 Lifetime Achievement Award. Regional Director Joy Cole (right) presented Lorraine with a recognition plaque at the FPSO Conference in Ottawa on April 29, 2006. Lorraine and her family were approved to foster 36 years ago and so began a legacy of caring and compassion for children in need of care in Wellington County. Over the course of 36 years Lorraine, her late husband David and her family have provided a safe, caring environment for 102 children. Recently while flipping through a collection of photos dating back 36 years, Lorraine tells a poignant and personal story about each and every child who has touched her soul. You quickly get the sense that Lorraine’s fostering is a “calling”. Lorraine is quiet and humble in her pursuit of making a difference in the life of a child. She has touched the lives of countless children, parents and professional staff in a confident but quiet manner. In the fall of 2005 her agency recognized Lorraine for the 35 years of commitment to children. That evening her son gave her the greatest compliment. He said that they were blessed to be 1,2 and 3 of Lorraine’s 102 children. The Lifetime Achievement Award is to recognize a current foster parent or family who has demonstrated continued long-term excellence in the field of fostering. (Information for this article provided by Wilma Tosh, Treasurer of Guelph-Wellington Foster Family Association) |
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2005 FOSTER PARENT OF THE YEAR
Sharon Beck (on the left) Receiving award from Sandra Green President of the Frontenac Foster Parent Association Ms. Sharon Beck of the Kingston-Frontenac FPA was recipient of the 2005 Foster Parent of the Year Award. Foster Parents at the FPSO Toronto conference in April learned of the remarkable life Sharon and her late husband Gary shared with many foster children who suffered from severe difficulties. One child in particular with severe Shaken Baby Syndrome was diagnosed never to function independently. After two years of determined effort by Sharon and Gary the child can now walk and talk and continues to develop. Sharon has presented workshops on Shaken Baby Syndrome and is active in the Communicator program and is well respected by her peers at the Frontenac Children's Aid Society. |
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2005 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
LaDorna Penteluk (on the right) Receiving award from Marlyn Wall of the Ottawa-Carleton Foster Parent Association LaDorna Penteluk of the Ottawa-Carleton FPA received the FPSO 2005 Lifetime Achievement Award at the FPSO Toronto conference in April. LaDorna opened her doors to foster children in 1960 and has cared for over 400 children. She has adopted three foster children and maintains a close relationship with another. LaDorna fostered regular placements in the 1960's and developmentally challenged children in the 1970' and 1980's. Today LaDorna is helping foster four children. Even with her busy schedule at home, LaDorna finds time to be involved with the Ottawa FPA, FPSO, and CFFA. LaDorna is a well respected foster parent and is looked to for guidance and mentoring. |
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