Foster Families Honored
June 6, 2003
“Foster Parent of the Year” plaques for the Southern and Northern Tier were presented at the ninth annual recognition dinner sponsored by Global Village Therapeutic Foster Care, a program of New Directions Youth and Family Services.
With May designated nationally as Foster Parent Appreciation Month, the dinner acknowledged the contributions of Global Village’s 70 foster parents who are helping children throughout Western New York. In addition to the Foster Parent of the Year awards, certificates were presented to those who have provided five years and ten years of service, as well as those who have completed adoptions in the past year.
Foster Parent of the Year
In the Northern Tier, S. Carmen Dietz of Buffalo was named Foster Parent of the Year.
Ms. Dietz worked diligently to find ways to help her foster daughter.
“Carmen read every book, attended every training and went out on her own to look for training,” said Sharon Jennings, social worker. “She learned about herself and what she needs to do to help children with behavioral problems.”
Her foster daughter’s behavior and even her appearance has improved dramatically over the past year. “You wouldn’t know it’s the same child,” Ms. Jennings said.
Ms. Dietz was a foster child herself and felt destined to become a foster parent so she could give back.
She has fostered three children over three years with Global Village.
In the Southern Tier, Luis and Nayda Martinez of Salamanca were named Foster Parents of the Year.
“One of the greatest things about this family is that they have opened up their home to birth families, and they treat the birth families with respect and dignity,” said Suzette Carnahan, social worker. “They have provided transportation to appointments, participated in visitation plans, assisted with behavioral support and have occasionally been known to go out in the snow to bring the family to Burger King on the spur of the moment to make sure the family can visit the children.”
The Martinezes have fostered six children in the five years that they have been with Global Village and maintain connections with all of the children who have moved on. Two years ago, they adopted a child through Global Village.
Adoptions
Those who completed adoptions in the previous year were given special recognition. They are Brian Hinman of Frewsburg; Don and Chris Baker of Frewsburg; Laura Dorn of Cattaraugus; Tom and Jane Cain of Kennedy, and Zelda Estrella-Roca of Cheektowaga.
Ten-year certificates
Those who have provided ten years of service were recognized. They were William and Barb Campbell of Little Valley; Donald and Janise Rhoades of Conewango Valley; Laura Dorn of Cattaraugus; Randy and Robbin Durow of Randolph, and Brian Hinman of Frewsburg.
Five-year certificates
Those who have provided five years of service were recognized. They are Don and Chris Baker of Frewsburg; Luis and Nayda Martinez of Salamanca; Mary Yates of Lackawanna, and Marie Hyland of Lockport.
The foster parent recognition dinner was held Friday, May 16, in the St. Aloysius Parish Hall, Springville.
Entertainment was provided by the Randolph Academy Steel Drum Band, comprised of youths from Randolph Children’s Home. A group called Teen Reality Theater performed skits on the challenges of foster care, followed by a session where the actors stayed in character and answered questions as if they were foster children and foster parents.
Global Village Therapeutic Foster Care serves children who need a high level of support, structure and supervision to help meet their emotional, behavioral and developmental needs. By carefully matching children with well-trained, caring foster parents, Global Village has achieved great success in bringing children back into the community where they can take part in family living and community activities.
