Tag: non-profit

March is Social Worker Appreciation month and as a long time foster parent I wanted to weigh in on my experience with these intrepid, hardworking souls. Let’s be honest, no one becomes a Social Worker to make big bucks or to become famous. They do it because they want to make a difference in the lives of children and families. Most of the Social Workers I have worked with over the past 25 years have had 25 to 30 children on their caseloads and yet they make sure to see each child at least once a month—no matter where s/he might be.

When I was asked to write a blog [this being my first one ever] about why I work for the Family Care Network and try to “be the difference,” I was apprehensive, because the reason is very personal for me.  It is something I have shared with very few people.  Most of the people I work closely with at Family Care Network don’t know the reason for my commitment to this agency.  Up until right now, I have chosen to share my story only with my closest friends and family.  I guess I have been afraid of being judged; hopefully a very unrealistic fear.  So, here’s my sto

First, a few years into working with children with behavior problems stemming from trauma, I began to notice how some kids developed a sense of hopelessness in very rigid homes/group homes. The more difficult a child’s behaviors were, the more restrictive the consequences would become; and eventually, the child would have no privileges and no areas of success. Once this happened, they had nothing left to lose and their behaviors would often escalate.

When my daughter first moved in with me as my then foster daughter, I was her 17th home. After just a few weeks, the testing began. It felt like a 24-hour a day attack; she was very determined to push me away. Even though I had every reason to be emotional, angry, frustrated, doubtful and full of fear, I quickly realized that my “rights” to these feelings were not doing me any good. I would imagine my girl getting on a daily roller coaster ride and I knew that I had to refuse to get on it with her.

I became a mentor after bonding with a young man that I had tutored. We hit it off very well, and neither of us wanted our relationship to end when the tutoring did.  I wanted Paul* to know that I cared about him, and not just because I wanted him to do well in school, but because we had started to build a relationship that I really enjoyed.

On October 1st, nearly 1000 wishes came to us from those in our care. We asked the community to come together to help us give our children, youth and families a holiday to remember—fulfill the wishes that they had specifically requested. And what happened next was incredible.

As the Christmas holiday is less than 24 hours away, we here at FCNI are reflecting on all the ways our amazing Central Coast community gives towards our efforts throughout the year. One of the most vital ways that you give throughout the year is with your time—probably the most precious commodity we each possess.

I am so happy to be able to share about adoption this month! Not only is it National Adoption Month but FCNI is almost a licensed adoption agency, an accomplishment that took years to earn. This is also the month my adopted daughter and I celebrate the seven year anniversary of her moving in with me as well as her 20th birthday—so much to celebrate!

Sponsor a Child Season is upon us! And thanks to the generosity of our community, we are able to successfully fulfill specific holiday wishes for the children, youth, and families in our care year after year. This year, more than 800 wish requests have been submitted from our children, youth and families!

May is National Foster Care Month, which means we honor the men and women and families who have dedicated their lives—their hearts and homes—to provide caring and stable homes for children suffering from trauma. There are a million different ways to celebrate foster parents—we could easily highlight the many sacrifices they make, the hours upon hours of training they undergo, the team-approach they embrace so they can provide the best care for children and youth or even the way they continue to give of themselves in the face of setbacks and uncertainties.