“He earns the title of Dad every single day.”
We can’t think of a better quote to describe what it takes to be a father to a child in foster care. Each year, Utah Foster Care honors five outstanding Foster Dads of the Year, one in each region of the state. They each are unique in their backgrounds and occupations, but are part of a common bond among parents caring for traumatized children.
Here’s an excerpt from the mother of children being cared for by one of our Foster Dads of the Year:
“My family has been ripped apart by addiction. Aaron and his wife Jean took in all 3 of my children (now ages 9, 6, and 4) and have had them in their home for just over a year now. They have gone thru so much with my children from skinned knees and school events to extreme emotional and physical behaviors. And yet they are there. They are there to cuddle the nightmares away, and to hang spelling tests on their refrigerator.”
“They love my children, and they let my children know how much I love them. He never gives up on my babies, and as much as he loves them, they truly love him as well. He helped to save my family from addiction. This simple nomination will never even begin to express the gratitude I have in my heart for Aaron and Jean. They are such a blessing!”
Congratulations to all of our 2016 Foster Dads of the Year!
Chalk artists create art in the street at the 14th annual Chalk Art Festival which benefits Utah Foster Care held at The Gateway Center in Salt Lake City on June 17th & 18th
(Pictured, left to right)
Ryan Nelson – Northern Region
Marcus Wesemann – SLV Region
Ike Spencer – Southwest Region
Brennan Platt – Western Region
Aaron Skankey – Eastern Region
Lisa Watts Baskin, UFC Board Chair
Tanya Albornoz, DCFS Foster Care Program Administrator
Don Hudson, ABC4 News Anchor
