May is National Foster Parent Appreciation Month
Hood River, Oregon (May 14): Local social service agency The Next Door, Inc. (NDI) honored foster parents Tuesday, May 11, for their contributions in providing safe places for youth to stay while in their Treatment Services program. At NDI, foster parents are professional members of the youth’s treatment team who help them practice new living skills and tools each day.
Janet Hamada, Executive Director of NDI, celebrated foster parents as champions of children and youth. Becci Crane and Ralph Kupersmith presented them with framed “Wheaties” cereal box fronts featuring their photos as Champions.
Brent & Kimberly Knopf were introduced as NDI’s newest foster family. Brent grew up with foster children in the home for his whole childhood. His parents, Karen and Mike Knopf have been foster parents for a total of 30 years, including 13 years at NDI.
Hood River families honored for their years of foster care included; Sue & Danny Ybarra-13 years, Candy & Randy Owyen-13 years, Janet & David Miller-9 years and Laurie Walkemeyer of Odell-6 years.
Without professional foster parents like these, children who need behavior and mental health treatment would not get the help and services they need to become healthy, functioning and productive adults.
For more information about The Next Door and professional foster parenting, visit their website at www.nextdoorinc.org.
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