by Alex Lloyd Gross
Achieving something like running a business or getting a degree is very challenging and difficult. Do it when you are a product of foster care, that makes it almost impossible. Three women who did the near impossible were honored last night at Mother Bethel AME Church on Lombard Street.
Dr. Nikia Owens, who is known for her work on the Campaign for Working Families Inc., Olga Ashby-Bacon, a Certified Nursing Aide and Dr Victoria Best, who operates the Victoria Urban Outreach Tutoring Service. All three were honored last night.
Alex Lloyd Gross Photo- Delaware Valley News.com City Councilwoman Jamie Gauthier gives an impassioned speech during the event.
The Women of Influence Foster Care Impact Award was given to these three women. They demonstrated that people can achieve anything. The event was sponsored by Fun Times Magazine. In attendance was City Councilwoman Jamie Gauthier presented ceremonial citations to the ladies, lauding them for their fortitude and resiliency.
Foster Care helps children from all demographics. Some age out of foster care, Statistics show that between 31 and 46 percent of youth exiting foster care will end up homeless by the age of 26. There is a huge need for foster parents in Pennsylvania. Over 250,000 will enter the foster care system nationally and that equates to about 2250 that are in Philadelphia.