FOUNDATIONS Graduation Issue | Summer 2015
From a Bair Scholarship Recipient “Treatment foster care has affected me in so many different ways and given me opportunity to grow as a person.”
I didn’t have a family before foster care. Now I have people in my life who care about me. Most of my life I bounced around and I was never given the opportunity to develop a relationship. Even though I am no longer in the care of the Bair Foundation, I am still in contact with my former foster parents Bill & Maria, whom I joined for the holidays. I am very grateful for them. They have showed and taught me so many different things in life. One thing that they helped me with is finding what was important to me, education, life skills, support, and what it means to be part of a family. I once thought that I was never going to have the opportunity to experience what a family felt like. I am currently enrolled in Central New Mexico Community College majoring in Psychology. I have been attending for three semesters and I hope to graduate in May of 2016 with my Associates Degree. I finished my first year with a 3.9 GPA, an accomplishment I’m proud I achieved.
- Jesus Schink, Bair Alumni
Thank You for Fostering Teens! “Your greatest contribution to the kingdom of God may not be something you do, but someone you raise.” - Andy Stanley Life in general for a teenager can be challenging; the highs and lows, the physical changes, the mood swings, the peer pressure, the temptations and the added responsibilities. For a teen in foster care, who has experienced abuse and neglect, multiple placements, lack of direction or encouragement and a disrupted academic path, navigating the teen years can be a nightmare without a committed adult they can depend on. When our families invite foster teens into their homes, they are given an incredible opportunity to not only share the love of Jesus, but to rebuild young lives through a meaningful relationship. By opening up their home to an older child, they help a teen grow physically, socially and spiritually. The time spent in their home can be the absolute turning point for a teenager who will soon age out of the foster care system.
Because of Committed Foster Families:
of Bair seniors have been accepted to higher education or enlisted in the armed forces.
A special thank you to all of our foster parents who care for teens: You make our teens feel wanted, safe, valued, and understood as you look past the behaviors and focus on the fact that our youth have been traumatized and all teens (in or out of foster care) can be challenging. You realize that teens are adults-in-training who are looking for a positive role model, life coach and the opportunity to develop into the person God has called them to be. You understand the importance of positive attention, listening, and just being there for our teens. You are fully aware that teens might act tough, but that secretly these kids want and need you. To ALL our foster parents who are making a difference, I want to say thank you. Thank you for loving our kids unconditionally. Thank you for putting your heart and soul into this ministry. Thank you for doing one of the most important jobs there is; passionately caring for hurting children & teens in the name of Christ.
Dr. Susan J. Miklos, LSW Executive Director
Congratulations Class o Laura Beale
Gilbert Enriquez
Laura Beale has excelled in high school, earning a 3.976 GPA along with playing basketball for all 4 years, participating in Track & Field, the Latin Club & the Art Club. She is a member of the National Honor Society and a Bair Scholarship recipeint. Laura volunteers at soup kitchens, the hospital and holds a parttime job. This fall, Laura will attend Ohio State University for Physical Therapy. Laura’s foster mom is Valient Johnson from the Kent office.
Gilbert Enriquez graduated from South San Antonio High School. He will attend the University of Texas San Antonio, Palo Alto in the fall, majoring in Computer Analysis with the goal of becoming a computer engineer.
Rachel Ransom
Rachel’s foster mother is Angela Onkeis from Bair’s San Antonio office.
Joseph Huffmaster
Gilbert’s foster parents are David & Lupe Ruiz from Bair’s San Antonio office.
Lori Surrett
Lori graduated high school early at the age of 17. Lori spends her time taking care of her biological son and attends college now as well. Lori aspires to work in equine science. When asked about what motto she lives by, she said “Learn to fly and achieve your dreams. Never give up and stay focused on the good things.” Lori attends Southwestern Community College and her foster parents are Crystal & Steven Hopkins from Bair’s Asheville office.
Rachel Ransom graduated from Judson Learning Academy. Rachel plans to continue her education at Northeast Lakeview, then transfer to the University of Texas at San Antonio. Her goal is to become a Registered Nurse, specializing in Oncology.
Diamond Holden
Joseph graduated from Summerville High School where he was involved in an internship. He received “Most Improved” in his internship, where he completed over 180 hours of volunteering at Goodwill & South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation Dept.. and achieved Silver Level in the WorkKeys Assessment program. Joseph is currently employed, and has been with foster parents Walter and Donna Pelletier from the Charleston office since he was 15 years old.
Diamond graduated from I.C. Norcom High School and will attend J. Sargent Reynolds Community College to major in Social Work. In high school Diamond participated in the JROTC program, was Executive Officer of her class, and was on the Distinguished Honor Roll during her junior year. She worked in the school office, is employed, is certified in CPR First Aid and is a Bair Scholarship recipient. Her foster mom is Linda Booker from the Richmond office.
of 2015! Kimberly HoweGeorge
Trevon Johnson
Sierra Newlon
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord. “Plans to prosper and not harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” - Jeremiah 29:11
After being in her foster home for almost two years, Kimberly was recently adopted by her foster family at age 19. Kimberly is a graduate of East Liverpool High School and plans to attend Eastern Gateway Community College and major in Early Childhood Education. She is a very responsible young lady, and has been a part of the vocational program at East Liverpool and has excelled in her classes. Kimberly’s parents are Kelly & Tim George from Bair’s Kent office.
Trevon graduated from Berkeley High School, where his favorite subject was physical education. He someday would like to become a chef, and is currently employed at a grocery store. He lights up a room wherever he goes with his big smile and big heart. Trevon loves to play basketball (he is 6’4”), loves to dress sharp and has a great style sense. He has lived with foster parents Jacqueline and Joseph Horry from Bair’s Charleston office since 2013.
Sierra likes to sing and create art. She graduated from Cambridge Springs High School and plans to attend Edinboro University in the fall to major in Social Work. Her desire is to work with trauma victims because of her past experiences. She wants to assist others in getting out of bad situations and help them deal with their trauma. Sierra has a twin sister, Brianna. Their foster parents are Mark and Cindy Boylan from Bair’s Erie office.
Jason HoweGeorge
Brianna Newlon
Hiram G. Andrews Center
Shelby Bradford
Jason Howe-George is Kimberly’s brother, and he has been in the same foster home for about two years, as well. He was recently adopted by his foster family at age 18. Jason graduated from East Liverpool High School and will attend the New Castle School of Trades in the fall to become a Heavy Equipment Operator or a Mechanic. He is employed and recently saved enough money to buy a car. His parents are Kelly & Tim George from Bair’s Kent office.
Brianna graduated from Cambridge Springs High School Brianna has artistic talents and enjoys singing and drawing. She also enjoys electronic games on her Kindle. Brianna plans to attend the Hiram G. Andrews School with the goal of working with children as a Nurse’s Aide. Brianna has a twin sister, Sierra. Their foster parents are Mark and Cindy Boylan from Bair’s Erie office.
Shelby graduated from John Tyler High School where she was a member of the National Honor Society and Criminal Justice club. She plans to attend Sam Houston State University in the fall to major in Psychology and minor in Speech. Shelby’s foster mom is Velesha McCalister from Bair’s Tyler office.
Join Us as We Pray for Our Teenagers “And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” - Matthew 21:22 •
Pray that God would heal the deep hurts they have experienced and protect them from future harm.
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Pray for more Christ-centered families to open their homes to teenagers on the brink of aging out with no family connections. Approx. 23,000 teens age out each year.
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Pray for adoptive families for older foster children.
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Pray for mentors, tutors and positive role models to walk with them through high school and give them a chance at a successful future.
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Pray that our teens would live a life filled with comfort, peace and joy that comes from knowing they are loved by a heavenly father.
Bair News •
PA is growing! A new office in Butler, PA is opening as well as expansion of services to include the new PATH program in Altoona. The PATH Visitation Program will allow youth to spend quality time with their families in a residential home-like setting.
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The Bair Foundation has expanded services in Virginia Beach, Virginia
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Because of your financial support to The Bair Foundation, we were able to provide our graduating high school seniors with a Bible of their very own, and a $50 gift card. Back-to-school donations are needed. Donations, which can include school supplies, back packs or gift cards can be dropped off at your local Bair office. Online tax-deductible donations can be made at www.bair.org/donate.
Love
in Action!
Tim and Kelly George with Kimberly, Jason, Brandon & Daniel from Kent
Jordan Felisha Lyons and from Columbus
Recent Teen Adoptions
The Brown Family and Adam from New Wilmington
Save the Date!
For the last three years, The Bair Foundation has partnered with the Christian Alliance For Orphans (CAFO) to celebrate Orphan Sunday; a day when Christian ministries across America demonstrate God’s love for children who have no family. It’s a day when we are reminded that every Christian should care for the orphan as mandated in scripture (James 1:27). We are looking for partners, churches, foster and adoptive parents to help us advocate on Orphan Sunday, November 8, 2015 for God’s most vulnerable children. Through sermons, small group presentations, concerts, prayer vigils, shared meals and youth gatherings, we can unite for this very important cause. Whatever you can do, however broad or limited, don’t miss this opportunity to join fellow believers everywhere to highlight the orphan ministry, foster care and adoption. Our National Marketing Director, Dorie Alcaro can help connect you with a local Bair professional that can assist you in organizing your Orphan Sunday event. You can email Dorie at dalcaro@bair.org or call 800-543-7058 ext 144.