Beech Tree News Network

I began working for the Family Enrichment Center 4 years ago.  When I was offered the job as the Program Coordinator for the Adoption Resource Program, my first thought was I can’t believe someone is going to pay me to talk about my family’s adoption experience in an effort to recruit more foster and adoptive families in our area.

I absolutely love my job and the people I work with are like a second family.  My co-workers have been my second biggest supporters (my husband is my number 1 fan), when I have had to step out of my comfort zone and be in the public eye.

But the truth is, even when you really enjoy what you do for a living, there are days when you wonder, if the effort you put into your passion really makes a difference. 

Deciding to become a foster or adoptive parent is a very personal decision.  I can do all sorts of things such as writing this weekly web article or appearing every Wednesday on WBKO’s Mid-Day’s Child, to bring awareness to the hundreds of children in our own state that need a family to call their own.  But the one thing I can’t do, no matter how hard I try, is to make people care.  

A few weeks ago, the following email was sent to me from one of the local case workers:  “A lady called me today to report that she and her husband had previously been foster parents for two beautiful girls and when the girls returned home it was very devastating for them and therefore they decided to close their home last year.  They had been thinking about re-opening their home, but had not made the call yet.  She called me today to find out what she needed to do.  She then stated that she was a substitute teacher and asked if I knew Denise and I said, “of course.”  She said well today I am subbing and I have one of her boys in my class and I just thought that was my sign from God that I needed to call today to get the process started.  Denise I thought you would be glad to know your child was a sign from God, which I know you already knew that.” 

At that moment, I realized that probably about 9 years ago, someone doing the same job I do now, was probably wondering if their effort made a difference.  I wish I could tell that person, that their efforts made all the difference in my life.

C. Denise Lambrianou is the Program Coordinator for Family Enrichment Center-Adoption Resource Program, which is funded in part by a grant from the Cabinet of Health and Family Services, Department of Protection and Permanency and Wendy’s of Bowling Green.  If you would like information about becoming a foster or adoptive family, or you would like to inquire about a featured child, please call (270) 781-6714 x 3 or (866) 842-9032 x 3.

Meet Raymond:
Raymond (08/99) needs a forever family to call his own. Raymond is a very fun and loving child. Raymond loves to be active by taking walks, playing video games and being outdoors. He also enjoys playing pool and ping pong with his friends. In his quiet time, Raymond enjoys coloring and putting puzzles together. Raymond is a very bright young man, and he enjoys participating in spelling bees at his school. Raymond does well in school both academically and behaviorally. He loves to talk with people, and share time with his close friends. Raymond says that his favorite food would definitely be pizza, and his least favorite food is anything green. Raymond would do best in a home with older children only. Please contact us today for more information about Raymond, and to learn how to become his forever family.