Q&A with Fred J.| Family Court and Permanency Liaison| 13 ½ years at The Foundling

The Foundling offers dynamic and progressive services and programs to 30,000 children and families each year, but what makes each of our programs so unique and successful are our employees and staff.  Everyone who works at The Foundling is motivated, passionate, caring, creative, strong and goal-oriented.

 

Get to know the people inside our organization by reading our blog each week as we highlight a new staff member.  We’ll ask them questions about their role at The Foundling, what their passions and hobbies are outside of the office, and recognize their achievements and accomplishments

 

How does your department help the people and communities we serve?

The Adoption & Legal and Record Information Department helps many people in a myriad of ways. We help create permanent families through adoption when children cannot be returned to their biological parents.  We also accomplish permanency through the Kinship Guardianship Assistance Program (KinGAP) where we assist family members in obtaining guardianship of their family members. The Foundling also maintains a database of adoptions dating back to the 1800s! From these records people who were adopted or in care at all can find some information about their history.

 

What has driven you to be where you are today?

This is a hard question to answer. In a nutshell, I do it for the children we serve. This is a highly stressful position in that we are severing biological ties in some cases to be able to make permanent forever families for the children. Before this I was an adoption Social Worker and the joy and emotions the children and adoptive families shared with me during the adoption process continuously reminds me of why I do what I do, and will continue to do.

 

What inspires you most about working at The Foundling?

This is another difficult question. In all honesty there are times when I am very uninspired and it becomes difficult. There are constant changes that have to be adapted to, whether you agree with them or not. So, at times, I do not feel I have a voice. Then, on the other hand, the inspiration from my colleagues always pulls me through and inspires me to keep up the good fight. Since this position has pulled me away from direct contact with the people we serve, I rely heavily on my colleagues.

 

If you could take a trip anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Italy! I fell in love with Italy while watching “Under the Tuscan Sun” and have wanted to visit the country ever since.

 

Tell us about the latest book you’re reading?

The last book I completed was John Grisham’s “Gray Mountain”. I am a huge fan and have read all of his books, except “Skipping Christmas.”

 

What is your spirit animal and why?

I would be a cat! They are very patient, beautiful and intuitive.

 

Want to learn about other Foundling staff? You can meet some of our other employees on TheMuse.com.