Release # 237-98

Contact: Colleen Roche (212) 788-2958 or Leonora Wiener (212) 266-2255 (ACS)

"It is great to be here to honor the foster parents of New York City," Mayor Giuliani said. "When the children of this City need you, you have come forward as foster parents to provide the love and support that every child deserves. You give your love unconditionally and you do so quietly, without expectation. And for that the entire City thanks you.

"Today, we are here to show you, in some small way, our appreciation for what you do every day," the Mayor continued. "The true test of being a parent comes not in giving birth to a child, but in raising that child, and providing that child with love and the ability to understand right from wrong. It is the single most important role an individual can play in society, because when more and more children have the opportunity to become part of a stable, loving family, the entire City is better off. By opening your homes and hearts to some of the 42,000 foster children of New York City, you are helping children realize their full potential.

"The 21 parents who are being honored here today are remarkable human beings. They come from all walks of life, but share a love and devotion that is unmatched. I commend you all for your dedication and sacrifice," the Mayor concluded.

Commissioner Scoppetta said, "By proclaiming May as Foster Parent Recognition Month, the Mayor has provided ACS with a wonderful opportunity to express our appreciation for some of the unsung heroes of the child welfare system. Foster parents play an extremely difficult and rewarding role in the lives of the abused and neglected children of this City. I urge every New Yorker to consider becoming a foster parent and to open your hearts and your homes to these very special children."

Foster parents provide temporary homes and care for the nearly 42,000 foster children who have been removed from their homes because of neglect and abuse or because they presently have no parent or guardian. They also play an important role in securing permanency for these children, whether through helping to strengthen the relationship between a child and his or her biological parents or by becoming the adoptive resource if the child cannot return to the birth family.

The role of foster parents in the City's child welfare system is wide-reaching and immeasurable. During Foster Parent Recognition Month, please take a moment to consider yourself as a potential foster parent. Whether you wish to adopt a child eventually, or if you simply wish to provide a child with a safe haven along the road of life, give it serious thought. For more information on becoming a foster parent, please call the ACS Foster Parent Recruitment Office at (212) 676-7611.

• Ms. Gladys Aponte is the foster mother to her four grandchildren. She works with school staff to ensure the educational progress of the children, which is reflected in the excellent reports received from the school they attend.

• Ms. Edythe Austin is the foster mother of a group of five siblings. Since their placement, they have made remarkable progress, and she encourages them to be active in the community and in the church.

• Ms. Gladys Beasley, a 63 year old grandmother, has been a foster parent for nine years to her four grandchildren. Ms. Beasley has involved the children in extracurricular activities, and one child sings with the Boy's Choir of Harlem.

• Ms. Gloria Clark has nurtured many foster children over the years, all with the same love and care she now gives to the two foster children she currently cares for. Ms. Clark has been complimented on several occasions by the children's teachers for their performance, attendance and demeanor.

• Mr. Clarence and Mrs. Ella Houston have been valuable foster parents for 12 years. During this time, they have cared for five children, including a special needs child, whose medical condition requires vigilant, around-the-clock care.

• Ms. Geraldine Jones has been a foster parent for 11 years for five foster children, including one special needs child. While four of the children were successfully returned to their mother, the last child remains with Ms. Jones. She is devoted to his care and is a testimony to the adage, "Love conquers all."

• Ms. Shirley Jones is a hard working, single parent of three children and is also a foster parent. She spends quality time with her family teaching them the importance of being sensitive to the needs of others and of taking pride in oneself. It is her love and care that has helped the children develop a sound work ethic and sense of accomplishment.

• Ms. June Joseph, a mother of two and an employee of the New York City Housing Authority, is also the foster mother of a group of five siblings. Ms. Joseph would like to adopt all five children to keep them together. While the adoption process has been lengthy, her love and determination have kept the family unified throughout this time.

• Ms. Elizabeth Laylock has been a foster parent for over seven years. Her love and dedication to the children placed in her care is exemplified in the two foster children whom she has adopted. Ms. Laylock often goes above and beyond the call of duty to care for children placed in her home.

• Ms. Frances Mazey, at the age of 76, is caring for her four great- grandchildren. A typical day begins with getting the children ready for school in the morning, and continues with caring for the youngest child until the others return. A schedule like this is more than enough for any parent, and Ms. Mazey accepts the challenge with strength and grace.

• Mrs. Sylvia and Mr. Alvin Mendez opened their home in 1991 and have had many hard-to-place and special needs children placed in their home. Through the Mendez's love, nurturing and dedication, the condition, of the children placed in their care have improved immeasurably.

• Ms. Rose Moorer has been the foster parent of 10 grandchildren over a span of 19 years. She has provided excellent care to each child, along with the love and support they need.

• Ms. Barbara and Mr. Cleo Morrison are a soft-spoken, pleasant couple. In addition to caring for their own three children, they are also caring for four foster children. In 1996, the Morrisons took in the youngest of the sibling group when a foster home was needed for him. The Morrisons are very loving and caring parents, who raise their foster children as well as their own.

• Ms. Sarah Ortiz has been a foster parent with ACS for over nine years and wants to adopt her four foster children, including one special needs child. Ms. Ortiz has received several appreciation awards for volunteer work at the children's school and at Brookdale Hospital

• Ms. Brenda Parker is the foster mother to three brothers, and has raised these children as if they were her own. No matter what obstacles have appeared over the years, Ms. Parker has always worked cooperatively with the birth mother toward reunification with her sons.

• Ms. Essie Parker has been a foster parent for 15 years, and she has raised many foster children who were in need of guidance. Ms. Parker is dedicated to showing children who have been through emotional, physical and sexual abuse how to open their hearts again.

• Ms. Madeline Peoples has been a foster parent for over 25 years and has cared for many children during that time. Presently, Ms. Peoples is caring for two brothers who will be adopted in the near future. Ms. Peoples has had a very positive impact on each child placed in her home.

• Ms. Ann and Mr. Felix Roberts have been foster parents for 10 years and have cared for over 200 foster children. There have been as many as six children in their home at one time. Children placed in their home are well cared for and receive the love and attention they need to thrive.

• Mr. Carl Smith, a retired police officer and a former community service officer and youth advisor for the Police Athletic League, now devotes his time to being a foster parent for hard-to-place children. He is a father figure and a positive role model to children placed in his care.

• Ms. Daisy Smith has been a foster parent for 12 years. Not only has she opened her home to foster children, she has taken in many hard-to-place children on an emergency basis. Her greatest area of impact as a foster parent has been in caring for children with disabilities.

• Ms. Lucy Williams is currently caring for two foster children. She has a strong educational background that has helped both children excel academically. Ms. Williams' unconditional love and support for these children will undoubtedly contribute to their future success and happiness.