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Finding forever families
By Megan Knowles mknowles@kpcmedia.com
Two children with nowhere else to go turned Don and Mindy Cochran into foster parents — and within two years, two other children in need would help define their family forever. Getting into fostering
When Don Cochran was seated next to two former students at a concert in 2005, he had no idea a simple question would change his life and the life of his wife, Mindy. Don said he knew the students, Rachel and Angel, were in the foster care system. “They said they were staying in a group home … because there were no foster parents in our county,” Don recalled. “And they looked at me and said, unless you want to become our foster parents. I said, sure, not knowing what’s all involved in the process.”
SHARING THE LOVE
See FINDING, Page A16
What to do to ring in 2018 Bike, plunge or cheer to welcome new year
Indiana is a leader in adoptions, but many children still wait. Find related stories inside this edition and at kpcnews. com/special_sections/ sharing_the_love.
The couple underwent more than 25 hours of training to officially become foster parents, Don said, which included learning CPR and first aid. The Department of Child Services also did background checks on the couple and went through their home, making sure there was enough living and bedroom space to bring in foster children, among other requirements. Fortunately for the Cochrans, Rachel and Angel were the first two of 13 children they would end up fostering. “It wasn’t without its challenges, it was very
December/January 2018
By Megan Knowles mknowles@kpcmedia.com
No plans for New Year’s Eve? No problem! IN|Fort Wayne has you covered with a two-day schedule to send off 2017 and ring in 2018 right. Sunday, Dec. 31
COURTESY PHOTO
Don and Mindy Cochran of Fort Wayne served as foster parents to Kyleigh and Uriel before adopting them.
After services or when you wake up: Start the festivities off right (and early) at Science Central’s Countdown to Noon. The museum’s annual event is complete with kids getting the opportunity to make party hats and noisemakers. As noon approaches, guests can enjoy cookies and a soda pop toast until a countdown ushers in the dropping of 2,018 balloons. 1 p.m.: Head over to the Foellinger-Friemann Botanical Conservatory to check out the Conservatory in Lights and Snow Days displays. The gardens have
been decorated inside and out with poinsettias and lots of lights. In addition, the Snow Days exhibit takes a look at children’s favorite activities when snow is on the ground, demonstrated by snowpeople themselves. 3 p.m.: A short walk will take you to the Fort Wayne Museum of Art to see the part of the collection of David Shapiro’s paintings and prints that were given to the museum by his estate. 5 p.m.: Grab lunch at one of the many great eateries downtown. 6 p.m.: Drive over to Franke Park to take advantage of one last chance to see the Fantasy of Lights, which consists of more than 100 animated light displays to delight the whole family. 7:30 p.m.: We hope See 2018, Page A18
FILE PHOTO BY LUCRETIA CARDENAS
Daring fundraisers dash through the shallows of the Metea County Park pond for the 2016 Polar Plunge for Special Olympics.
Special Olympics is reason for Polar Plunge freezin’ Special Olympics Indiana and Special Olympics Allen County will host their annual Polar Plunge on Feb. 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Metea County Park in northeast Fort Wayne. The event, which brings together businesses and individuals from all
over northeast Indiana, helps raise funds for state and local Special Olympics programs, according to a release from Special Olympics Indiana. These programs “allow children and adults with intellectual disabilities to live active lives through socialization, exercise and friendly competition,” the release states. Currently
there are more than 13,000 athletes that participate in at least one sport through Special Olympics in Indiana. Plungers are invited to take a dip in Metea Park’s ice-cold pond before enjoying the After Splash Bash with food and beverages at the Metea Park See POLAR, Page A18
Grand Opening January 6
Open House 1- 4 p.m. 5958 Stellhorn Rd., Fort Wayne, IN 46815
(260) 451-YOGA www.simplyyogafortwayne.com INfortwayne Publications
For IN|Northeast News
3306 Independence Drive, Fort Wayne, IN 46808
By Meghan Schrader