Partnerships in ParentingA Publication for Foster Care & Adoptive Parents Spring, 2008
A Message from the CEO
“Building Strong Links for
Children in Need”
Dear Foster and Adoptive Parents,
In recognition of National Foster Parent Appreciation Month, I would
like to take a moment to recognize the people that truly are making
a difference in the lives of abused and neglected children. Foster
and adoptive parents vary in family size, income, marital status and
ethnicity. There is one common factor that links them all together:
love. I truly believe that it is a calling to be a foster or adoptive parent. Maybe it is
something that was done in your own family or perhaps your own experiences led
you to believe you could make a difference. Whatever the inspiration was that got
you here, we are all thankful.
Foster and adoptive parents have the hardest job of all. Children are taken from
their families under very stressful circumstances and traumatized by the removal.
They are then placed into a home with strangers without the comfort of their own
bed, pillow or belongings. They then wait weeks, months or years to see if they will
go home. If they cannot, they then wait for a forever family to call their own.
It is you who comforts these children and makes them a part of your family. You
wipe their tears, hold them when they are sick and teach them how to thrive despite
their circumstances. It is you who works with their biological family, showing them
how to be better parents to their children. And then finally, you support their return
home or provide them with a loving, permanent home.
I would like to express my sincerest appreciation for the dedication and love
that each of you shows our children. With your help, our children are living the
childhood they deserve. On behalf of the Children’s Network and all of our partner
agencies, thank you and God bless!
Sincerely,
Nadereh Salim
Chief Executive Officer
“We should not be ask