All over San Diego County, babies and toddlers are further victimized in foster care after being abandoned, neglected, and abused. Angels Foster Family Network has transformed the face of foster care by providing each child with one loving family so they can grow and thrive. Angels has saved over 450 babies and toddlers since 2000. We have created a proven model that turns foster care on its head.
Cathy Richman founded Angels in response to the foster care crisis she witnessed as a volunteer with the San Diego County Juvenile Court. Drawing on her experience as a child advocate and her research in child development, Cathy developed a model of foster care staffed by professionals and dedicated to placing victimized babies with the most carefully-screened and trained parents. She envisioned a select group of families whose motives for fostering came out of a love for children, and who would commit to nurturing them for as long as needed. Cathy dreamed of a day when all babies could grow up to be healthy, productive members of the community. The result was Angels Foster Family Network. Few non profit agencies challenge the structure of the child welfare system, but the fledgling Angels organization was determined to make a difference. Month after month, year after year, Angels worked to gain creditability and prove that the model can successfully change the outcome for children.
At present, Angels is recognized as the “baby experts” by our county. As of May 2011, over 450 babies have been rescued here in San Diego and two sister agencies (Santa Barbara, CA and Oklahoma City, OK) have been born. While we are continuing to rescue more and more of the most vulnerable victims here at home, we look forward to a day when the Angels model of foster care is available in every community.
In the words of one of our exceptional families, “Being a part of Angels has changed our lives forever. We have grown and changed as much as the babies we are trying to help. We are honored to be a very small part of this amazing organization that is rescuing so many.”
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This story was nominated for the CLASSY Awards. recognizing the top philanthropic achievements across the country. To view other achievements, visit the CLASSY Awards Achievements Page.
To donate to the Angels Foster Family Network, go to their profile on the StayClassy website.
