Becci Crane, NDI’s Foster Parent Certifier, hands Jody Gehrman, NDI’s latest Foster Parent, her new certificate at the Annual Foster Parent Appreciation Dinner
Every year I look forward to our Annual Foster Parent Appreciation Dinner. Becci Crane, Foster Parent Certifier, does a great job of coordinating the event, held last night, May 8th.
What’s not to love about the event?
I get to have a delicious dinner (this year at Stonehedge Gardens Restaurant in Hood River), surrounded by good company and then tell them all how much they are appreciated.
This year I told them that I appreciate:
- Their compassion and passion for helping one child at a time,
- Their patience and perserverance as they are tested day after day by the children, by the system and sometimes even by The Next Door, and
- Their strength in the face of these tests and challenges but also their strength when the children share their often times heartbreaking stories.
First and foremost, I told the foster parents that I appreciate that they have taken up the call to be a part of the Village that raises our children, one day at a time, one child at a time. They are helping to heal our sometimes broken society and showing the children that they are valued and loved.
My co-workers, Larry James and Alex Stromquist, also spoke about how appreciated the parents are, and then Becci Crane distributed baskets to each mother and father, in keeping with the theme of self care. We certainly hope that the foster parents don’t forget to take care of themselves.
Linda and LeRoy have been fpster parents for years–they took a break and then came back. Now that’s dedication!
