Vol. 14, No. 2 • May 2010

NC Foster and Adoptive Parent Association 2010 Awards

Johnny and Djuna Bostick
Richmond County DSS wants to recognize Johnny and Djuna Bostick for their magical contributions to children. Licensed since 2004, they have fostered 14 children and adopted two children. They have provided dedicated care to children with medical needs, teen moms and birth parents. They have cared for infants going through drug withdrawal as well as children with severe asthma and breathing problems. They are flexible, loving and a joy to work with and treat all children and birth parents with respect and ultimate love.

Sammie and Lawanda Clemmons
Sammie and Lawanda Clemmons joined the Easter Seals UCP foster parenting team as a licensed family on March 6, 2007. Days later this family welcomed an infant into their home who had a serious physical diagnosis and who had arrived into care while in Hospice. They also sat at the bedside of a ten year old losing a battle with brain cancer. Over the years, the Clemmons family have welcomed, loved and supported 18 children in their home. This family keeps one hand on the child and the other reaching out to the birth family. The magic of their love is cherished by our agency.

John and Dixie Painter
John and Dixie Painter are exemplary advocates for children and adults with disabilities. They educated themselves on the rights of people with disabilities when they fostered a child with mental disabilities whose parents also had mental disabilities. We saw the magic of their tenderness and respect when they comforted the birth parents through the TPR process. In addition, they have educated birth parents in the areas of cooking, cleaning, parenting and nurturing. They continue to provide loving care for children and birth parents, while always striving to promote shared parenting.

Karen LeClair
Karen received the Association's Karen Taylor McLeod Advocacy Award for unwavering dedication to North Carolina's foster and adoptive families.  Karen is an active contributor at NCFAPA board meetings, bringing us a wealth of real life experience that helps to frame our efforts to help children with disabilities. She advocates for us at state level meetings and assists in executing many NCFAPA activities, including conference planning. Karen has helped tremendously, quietly behind the scenes, with each conference since 2002.

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