Fostering Families Committee Summer Social

By Maret Mitchell, Fostering Families Committee

On Wednesday evening, the Fostering Families Committee met in Atherton to enjoy some wine and cheese for a summer social hosted by co-chairs, Caitlin Darke and Kyla Eller. This is the third year that the Junior League of Palo Alto-Mid Peninsula has supported Help One Child through our Fostering Families community project.

Fostering Families helps foster children, many of whom are the victims of abuse and abandonment, along with their families, with coping mechanisms. The sessions are held at Union Presbyterian Church in Los Altos, where we will host a dinner for the children, and then hold workshops that deal with a variety of topics including anger management, bullying, and gossip.

Co-chairs Caitlin Darke and Kyla Eller

As a special surprise, we were treated to the always-delightful Suzi Tinsley as a guest speaker. She motivated the committee with her personal experiences volunteering in various community projects in the past, particularly a poignant experience at East Palo Alto Tennis and Tutoring early in her League service. Suzi reminded us that while there is uncertainty in the lives of these children, we, in the League, can be a constant that they rely on throughout the year. The Fostering Families Committee is eager to work with these children and make a difference in their lives... And maybe, just maybe, we will learn even more from them.

Back Row: Kristin Hayes, Angela Ragni, Genevieve Ovalle, Sara Einhorn, Jennifer Rickard, Ashlie Emmett, Megan Olesek, Michelle Melen
Front Row: Kristina Alvarez, Maret Mitchell, Monica Khurana, Katie Riggs, Casey Ellis, Heidi Walas