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.
Previous Recipients

 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)   

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.)