Foster Care Appreciation Week 2009 Art and Poetry Contest Winners

An art and poetry contest for children and youth who are part of a foster family is one of the highlights of Foster Family Appreciation Week. This year's selected art entry (right) was created by Willow, age 10, and the author of the selected poetry submission (below) was Torie, age 14. Learn more by reading our news release. You can also download the "Healthy Families Mean Healthy Communities" card (PDF),

Together at Last
 
Your hand was outstretched
And we held ours out.
You needed us then
So we helped without doubt.
 
You came into our home
And we opened our hearts.
“You” and “We” became “Us”
The sum of all parts.
 
You came without knowing
Just quite how we would be.
You accepted us fully
and became family.
I now call you “sister”
And I think you’re so dear.
We’ll work through things together
Of that have no fear.
Now my mom is your mom
And my father is too.
I’m so glad we’re together
Cause I needed you too.
 
– Torie, age 14