Spring 2012 Fostering Hope Newsletter - COBYS Family Services

and Jess Schrodel worked with
parents and teens to help the
teens develop “refusal skills” to
say “no” when peers entice
them to make bad choices.
Another session teaches the
STARR method of controlling
anger. Parents are taught to
Stop and recognize their anger,
Think about the consequences
of losing control, Ask themselves
what they want to happen,
Reduce their feelings of anger,
and Reward themselves for
success.
As a result of their
participation in the program at
Donegal, Stacie Detter and Rob
Cawller instituted weekly family
meetings with Stacy’s daughter
to talk about school, friends,
and family matters. “These
family meetings have really
become a part of our family
now,” says Stacie, and have
opened lines of communication.
“It’s been good for all of us
to learn how to help our kids
make good choices,” sums up
Mary Allman, who participated
with her husband, Bryan, at
Donegal. “We’ve only had little
troubles in our family so far,” she
continues. “We’re hoping to
on January 21, 2011, Aliza served
as flower girl at the Coopers’
oldest daughter’s wedding. It just
so happened that the wedding
took place on Aliza’s birthday.
Reflecting on what qualities
enable the Coopers to build such
supportive relationships with
biological parents, Becky Frey
points to their nonjudgmental tone
and view of foster care: “When
they foster kids,” she says, “they
look at it as a temporary situation
learn how to avoid big
troubles.”
In addition to the Donegal
program, GGC has been held
at Burrowes Elementary School,
Wheatland Middle School, and
J.P. McCaskey High School
(twice), all in School District of
Lancaster. The McCaskey
programs were for parents in
the district’s Project Forward
Leap, an educational
enrichment program for
disadvantaged communities.
Other programs have been
offered in partnership with
Cocalico Middle School in
Cocalico School District and
Blue Ball Elementary School in
Eastern Lancaster County. A
program is running currently at
Hans Herr Elementary School in
Lampeter-Strasburg School
District, and two more programs
will be scheduled this fall.
GGC is funded by a $73,000
grant from the Pennsylvania
Commission on Crime and
Delinquency (PCCD), and its
continuation will be dependent
on identifying ongoing funding
sources.
to help someone else out. They
understand that the biological
parents really deserve a chance
to get their kids back.”
Katie has an even simpler
explanation. She says of Matt and
Marie, “These people are special.
It’s like God created them exactly
for what they do.”
Meet the Coopers and others
featured in this article in person at
the March 15 COBYS Fancy Ball.
Fun Walk
Slated at
Peter
Becker
COBYS
Family
Services
will host
the 18th
annual Family Fun Walk on Sunday,
May 6, at Peter Becker Community,
800 Maple Ave., Harleysville. The
walk begins at 4 p.m., with
registration at 3:30.
The event consists of a threemile
walk, followed by ice cream,
refreshments, and awarding of door
prizes. Walkers pay a fee or enlist
sponsors to benefit COBYS ministries
to children and families.
Seventy-two participants in the
2011 Family Fun Walk raised more
than $8,500 for COBYS ministries.
Goals of 100 participants and
$10,000 have been set for this year.
Top fundraisers can choose
between grand prizes of a night’s
stay for two donated by Willow
Valley Inn & Suites, near Lancaster
and two tickets to Jonah, donated
by Sight & Sound Theatres, Lancaster.
All participants receive a t-shirt, ice
cream and refreshments, and a
chance to win a door prize. Youth
groups who raise $1,000 or more
earn a gym and pizza night.
Costs of the event are
underwritten by Bauman Family Fruit
Butters and Cider, Sassamansville.
Additional business supporters are
being sought.
For the second year, the walk
will be staged from Orchid Terrace,
located inside the main building at
Peter Becker Community. The event
will be held rain or shine.
Printable brochures and sponsor
sheets will be available at
www.cobys.org/news.htm by mid-
March. For more information about
the event or becoming a business
sponsor, please contact Don Fitzkee
at 800-452-6517 or don@cobys.org.
Fostering Hope 5