For Immediate Release - May 16, 2011

Patrick-Murray Administration Celebrates National Foster Care Month

Department of Children and Families honors 52 foster and adoptive families

FRAMINGHAM - In honor of National Foster Care Month, the Patrick-Murray Administration's Department of Children and Families (DCF) joined the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children and the Massachusetts Alliance for Families yesterday to recognize dozens of remarkable foster and adoptive families at the 26th Annual Foster and Adoptive Parent Recognition Awards Brunch in Framingham. Diverse families from across the Commonwealth were honored for the care and support they provide to children in need of safe and loving homes.

"We are grateful for the opportunity to express our sincere gratitude to the Commonwealth's foster and adoptive families," said DCF Commissioner Angelo McClain. "Each and every day, our foster families provide loving care to children across the Commonwealth. On behalf of all children, we thank you for your dedication and for the nurturing environments you provide."

The state presented 44 families with Foster Parent All-Star Awards, and seven families received Adoptive Parent All-Star Awards. Susan Fitzsimmons of Wellesley received this year's Goldie Rogers Award, a memorial award named after foster parent and child advocate Goldie Rogers who, in 1989, tragically perished in a fire while attempting to rescue children from her burning home. Ms. Fitzsimmons exemplifies Goldie Rogers's spirit of dedication and commitment to foster parenting and advocacy efforts.

The Hopkinton-based EMC Corporation was also recognized for its commitment to supporting DCF and the DCF Kids Fund, a charitable organization established in 1998 to serve as a support system for abused and neglected children in state custody. For more than a decade, the EMC Corporation's generosity supported the Kids Fund's efforts to provide gifts to foster children during the holiday season, send youth to summer camp, and make it possible for foster children to participate in enrichment activities like music, dance, sports programs, and SAT preparation classes. The EMC Corporation and EMC employees have contributed more than $500,000 in financial and in-kind donations to support these programs.

Marylou Sudders, President and CEO of the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children and event co-host, said, "For those times when children cannot remain at home, foster families step in to keep them safe, to nurture them and to give them a place to call home. Foster families, including kinship foster placements, continue to be the best and most cost effective alternative for children who cannot be safe and healthy in their own homes. Now more than ever, we must redouble all efforts to keep this system strong."

"In May, we celebrate the loving and nurturing foster families in Massachusetts who provide quality care for children not able to live with their biological families," said Cheryl Haddad, President of the Massachusetts Alliance for Families. "Our hope is that everyone will join together to find the resources and supports to continue providing for these children's basic needs. We are committed to recruiting quality families during this time of need and are grateful for the thousands of families stepping up to the plate to care for the Commonwealth's children. Their selfless volunteerism is admirable and greatly appreciated."

Honorees recognized yesterday include

Boston Metro and Metro West

Foster Parent All-Stars

  • Judy and Edward Bingel, Woburn

  • Julie and Richard Gordon, Melrose

  • Sharlene Hicks, East Boston

  • Jessica Langdale, Everett

  • Leslie Lawrence, Roslindale

  • Susan Lofchie, Hull

  • Patricia and Michael Ng, Wayland

  • Juana Pena, Roxbury

  • Jeannette Quinones, Milford

  • Frances Rivera and Jose Morales, Revere

  • Irene Squires, Dorchester

Adoptive Parent Special Awards

  • Joanna Cataldo and Kenneth Weill, Chestnut Hill

  • Yvonne Nelson, Dorchester

Western Massachusetts

Foster Parent All-Stars

  • Rebekah and Keith Arnett, Southwick

  • Enid and Luis Astacio, Springfield

  • Suzanne Goodwin, Haydenville

  • Jacqueline and Roger Hassan, Pittsfield

  • Billy Jones, Springfield

  • Melissa and William Marek, Easthampton

  • Rosa Rivera, Holyoke

  • Charlene and Steven Sakowicz, Deerfield

  • Laura Vazquez, Springfield

Adoptive Parent Special Awards

  • Naomi "Amy" and Ralph Clark, Springfield

Central Massachusetts

Foster Parent All-Stars

  • Carrina and James Cassano, Barre

  • Yessica and Ignacio Cortes, Worcester

  • Teresa and Martin DeCastro, Blackstone

  • Terry and Ronald Eggleston, Townsend

Adoptive Parent Special Awards

  • Katie and Michael Moloney, Brimfield

Northeastern Massachusetts

Foster Parent All-Stars

  • Jannet Blondet and Pedro Delgado, Lowell

  • Brandi Ditch, Peabody

  • Laurie and James Dowd, Lowell

  • Hannah and Jim Fowlie, Bedford

  • Elvy Miles, Haverhill

  • Elsa O'Connor, Lawrence

  • Nhi and Jimmy Tran, Lowell

  • Judianne Venezia, Lynn

Adoptive Parent Special Awards

  • Shannon and Leslie Rigali, Middleton

Southeastern Massachusetts

Foster Parent All-Stars

  • Amy Brigham, South Dennis

  • Ana and Richard Cabeceiras, Fall River

  • Susan Charbonneau, Fairhaven

  • Marie Dumas, Wareham

  • Angela Frankudakis, Attleboro

  • Shirley and Robert Hyde, Fall River

  • Jennifer and Jeffrey Kobza, New Bedford

  • Cynthia and Conrad LoPrete, North Easton

  • Laura and Michael Pol, Buzzards Bay

  • Karen and Glenn Prescott, Carver

  • Pam and Peter Stokinger, Mansfield

  • Deborah and Craig Watt, Plymouth

Adoptive Parent Special Awards

  • Mary Dunn, Pocasset

  • Wendy Tompkins and Terri Raynard, Wellfleet

As we celebrate National Foster Care Month, there remains an ongoing need for caring families to come forward and open their homes and hearts to our children in foster care. To learn more about becoming a foster or adoptive parent, please call 1-800-KIDS-508 or visit www.mass.gov/dcf.

# # #