KINGSTON, NY (May 5, 2022) – KidsPeace announced that Ann Mathis of Kingston, NY has been named the organization’s 2022 New York Foster Parent of the Year.
Ann was selected by KidsPeace Foster Care’s New York state leadership after being nominated by Marrinia Catuzza, a family resource specialist in the organization’s Kingston foster care office. In her nomination, Catuzza noted that Ann has been a foster parent with KidsPeace for 15 years, and termed her “a natural healer” for her ability to make foster children feel loved and comfortable in her care.
“Ann gives hope by encouraging foster children to always do their best, even during challenging times,” Catuzza wrote. “Ann is able to quickly offer examples of hope to children when they do not see how to be hopeful… (her) first response to any challenge with kids is to find the sunny side of the difficult situation which offers hope.” Catuzza also noted that Ann provides support and advice to other foster parents, and is always offering to help office staff in their efforts to aid families in dealing with the foster care system.
As a result of being named KidsPeace New York Foster Parent of the Year, Ann Mathis will be considered for recognition as the organization’s National Foster Parent of the Year. That selection will be announced during KidsPeace’s first-ever National Virtual Foster Care Conference, scheduled for Saturday, May 21, 2022.
For 140 years, KidsPeace has been building on its expertise to give hope, help and healing to children, adults and those who love them. Through its comprehensive range of residential treatment programs; accredited educational services; unique psychiatric hospital and foster care and community-based programs, KidsPeace is dedicated to helping people connect, transform and overcome their challenges to ensure a stable future, transition to adulthood and gain independence. Since its doors opened, nearly 300,000 children have participated in one of the multitude of programs KidsPeace offers.
For additional resources or more information on how to get involved, become a foster parent or make a donation, please visit www.kidspeace.org. Follow us at www.facebook.com/kidspeace.org or on Twitter @KidsPeace
