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Nonprofit Profile , Angels Foster Family Agency



ORGANIZATION

Name: Cathy Richman.

Titles: Founder and chief executive officer.

Organization: Angels Foster Family Agency.

Mission of organization: Angels is a licensed, private nonprofit foster family agency with a unique emphasis on the stable placement of abused foster infants with healthy, nurturing families who promote emotional bonding, resulting in happy, productive, secure adults.

Telephone: (619) 283-8100.

Web site: angelsfoster.com.

Founded: 1998.

Milestones: Celebrating 10 years of rescuing foster babies in San Diego, mentoring a new startup Angels Santa Barbara.

Annual income: $350,000.

Expense allocation: 79 percent toward program services.

Corporate support: 47 percent individual support, 49 percent foundation support.

Corporate supporters: San Diego National Bank, Union Bank, Heritage Security Services, Chevron Corp., Archer Daniels Midland Co.

Board chair: David Hoffman.

Board members: David Hoffman, Cathy Richman, Lawrence Richman, Kay Spafford, Mindy Fletcher, Ann Desmond, Dr. Thomas Jensen, Dr. Rachel Zahn, Judith Firtel, Leslie Gladstone, Karen Boudreau, Deborah Stumm, Estha Trouw, Terrie Georgi.

Employees: Four full time, two part time.

Volunteers: One full time.

Events: Annual luncheon and May Golf Tournament sponsored by Kiwanis Club of San Diego.

Wish list: New infant clothing, car seats, baby slings.


OFFICE ISSUES

Recent challenge: Having only two family openings when there were five babies looking for a home.

Measures of success: Seeing a child bonded to a foster family and knowing this child will be safe and cared for.

Smartest move: Taking the leap of faith to start the agency, and trusting that there were many wonderful families in San Diego County who would meet our high standards for foster care.

Missed opportunity: Can’t think of any.

Misconception: That there is no need for foster homes for the babies, and that there is only a shortage of foster homes for older children.


PROFESSIONAL INSIGHTS

Personal path to nonprofit work: Working as a volunteer child advocate for five years, representing children in foster care and seeing a system of foster care that could use help and set new standards.

Toughest aspect: Seeing or hearing about “unthinkable” acts of abuse towards children.

Most surprising aspect: Seeing drug-exposed babies overcoming developmental obstacles and not only meeting, but often exceeding, development milestones in all areas of their physical, emotional and social development.

Biggest pain: Informing foster parent applicants they did not pass the Angels “test” to qualify.

Greatest pleasure: Watching Angels’ children coming together with their families every year for our holiday party. Many are now 7 to 9 years old.


INTROSPECTIONS

Best recent moment: Receiving a large grant to support our HALO Project.

Worst recent moment: Picking up a baby from Rady Children’s Hospital with multiple internal injuries inflicted upon her by her parents.

Dream for another life: To be an accomplished pianist and backup singer for Elton John.

Downtime: Jazzercise, movies, beach, our children and our three dogs.

Causes: Any cause that helps children to recover from injuries (physical, emotional, social) and that helps them to recognize how uniquely perfect and precious each child is.

Most like to meet: Oprah Winfrey.


Comments or suggestions? Contact Tom York at

tyork@sdbj.com

.

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