2023 Annual Report

CHANGING WORLD THE ONE CHILD AT A TIME

OUR MISSION

We find safe, loving, permanent families for children in foster care. Our children have experienced significant trauma, abuse, and neglect that has impacted their brain development.

We provide our children and their caregivers the specific training/support they need for life, at no cost to them.

With these supports, our children are at a lesser risk for failed adoptions, trafficking, addiction, houselessness, abuse, and incarceration.

FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

On my first day as Executive Director I walked into our Wilmington office feeling excited, apprehensive, and optimistic. I did not know what this new adventure would bring, but I knew it would be significant. Eight years later that feels like an enormous understatement. I could not have predicted how much leading this organization would intensify my passion for serving children and families.

Our children come into this world like all children do - seeking connection and safety so they can grow, learn, and thrive. But somewhere along the way, that connection and safety is taken away from them. Instead, they experience broken relationships. Many of our children are hurt by those who should protect them. Therefore, they must guard their hearts, brains, and bodies from further harm. They develop impressive defenses that keep them safe. However, these defenses make it difficult when parents and caregivers strive to build the connections we know our children need. The very relationships that will help our children heal can feel threatening to a mistrustful child. This is why I am so passionate about ensuring that our families have the support they need to be successful in giving our children the safety and connection they deserve.

As I reflect on what’s important in our work, the starfish story that A Better Chance for Our Children has always found powerful comes to mind. It’s the story of a child walking along the beach, throwing starfish back into the ocean. Someone walks by and tells the child that there are too many starfish, they can’t possibly make a difference. The child throws another starfish in the ocean and says, “I made a difference to that one.”

When things get hard, it’s helpful to come back to what’s simple. One child at a time, one family at a time. Thank you for helping us make a difference!

Last year marked the first time we were able to gather in person since before the pandemic. The theme, “Our Community of Strength” was on full display; the evening felt more like a reunion of dear friends and family, than it did your typical fundraiser.

Adoptive parent and former board member, Sonny Leo put together another amazing show for us, bringing together incredible local talent that had everyone on their feet singing by the end of the night.

We also welcomed new faces and were able to offer exciting auction and raffle items, generously donated by friends and local businesses. Together we raised over $64,000 to support programs like Rec-n-Respite, teen and parent support groups, and caregiver trainings.

Attending Music from the Heart is a special opportunity to learn more about these programs and the families we support. Not only are many of our families present, but they also allow us to share their stories. These stories highlight the perseverance and commitment that our parents embody, as well as the strength our children display as they heal from their trauma. This event is also an opportunity to connect with the amazing team at A Better Chance for Our Children. They make what we do possible. They help build families. Once a family comes together, our Child and Family Specialists are there to ensure caregivers have what they need.

THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS DONORS!

Anna Marie Dance Studio

Arthur Hall Insurance

Bachetti Bros.

Barclays Bank

Basia Bubel and Michael Kimpel

Chuck and Elsje Bean

Michael and Katie Beyer

Beau Biden Foundation

Jody Bitzel

Brandywine Museum of Art

Brandywine Prime

Bumpers and Company

David and Lisa Campbell

Lori A. Captain

Deborah and Vaughn Charlton

Chez Nicole Salon

Comfort and Floyd

Continental Jewelers

Delaware Theatre Company

Dewson Construction

Nick and Nikki Dubuono

Robin Duquella

Daniel and Mary Lou Edgar

Joseph Edgar and Family

El Diablo

Linda Farrow

David and Jo-Anna Featherman

Dieter and Tracy Featherman

Ed and Barbara Fersht

Fork

Karen Furst

Frederica Pizza and Pasta House

Friendly’s Gift Shop

Gallagher Fluid Seals

Brian and Susan Gallagher

Joe and Kathy Gallagher

Longwood Gardens

Meg Garey and Mike Karpyn

Mike and Liz Garey

GFP Cement Contractors LLC

Go Ape

Drew Gonser

Ed and Veronica Gordon

Carol Graybill

John and Meg Grieshaber

Haldas Market

Heather Holiday and Benjamin Mell

Sarah Holliday

Mary Holland

Tracy Ignatieff

Lawrence Iorii

Mariann Kenville-Moore and Tom Moore

Glenn and Patricia Kocher

Eunice LaFate

Larsen and Landis Structural Engineers

Laurie and Aaron Lattomus

Richard and Linda Lawyer

Sonny Leo

Robert and Karen Lynch

Brenda Malinics

Brian McCurdy and Steven Crooks

Paula McEvoy

Rosanne Miller

John Milroy

Lori Maramante

Cathy Morgan

Nicole Mozee

Noreen O’Grady

Nicole and Glen Outten

Peco’s Liquor

Mina and Elliot Pinckney

Precision Electronic Glass, Inc

Amy Renwick

Shawn Riley

Lydia Robb

Tyler and Gina Robinson

Kristen Roseman

Sanctuary Spa

William and Lynn Seyler

Siegel JCC

Jessica and Matt Sinarski

Michael and Michelle Speechley

St. Thomas the Apostle Knights of Columbus

Grace Stockley

Total Wine & More

Anne and Martin Trumpler

Unlimited Construction

Ellen Uzelac

Robert Valihura

Dick Van Ogtrop

Deborah Warren

Mark and Karin Weining

LaShawn Willingham

Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library

Mary Jo and Michael Wolfe

WSFS Cares Foundation

Elijah Young and Louis Holveck

Bonnie Zahn

STARFISH CIRCLE 2023

Our Starfish Circle recognizes individuals who have made gifts of $500 and greater. We are deeply appreciative for their support and partnership in changing the world, one child at a time.

Chuck and Elsje Bean

Michael and Katie Beyer

Lori Captain

Robin Duquella

Dan and Mary Lou Edgar

Joseph Edgar and Family

Brian and Susan Gallagher

Meg Garey and Mike Karpyn

Drew Gonser

Ed and Veronica Gordon

John and Meg Grieshaber

Heather Holiday and Benjamin Mell

Sarah Holliday

Lawrence Iorii

John Milroy

Amy Renwick

Gina and Tyler Robinson

Jess and Matt Sinarski

Robert Valihura

Mark and Karin Weining

THE STARFISH STORY

A young girl was walking along a beach upon which thousands of starfish had been washed up during a terrible storm. When she came to each starfish, she would pick it up, and throw it back into the ocean.

She had been doing this for some time when a man approached her and said, “Little girl, why are you doing this? Look at this beach! You can’t save all these starfish. You can’t begin to make a difference!”

The girl bent down, picked up another starfish, and hurled it as far as she could into the ocean. Then she looked up at the man and replied,

“Well, I made a difference for that one!”

The old man looked at the girl inquisitively and thought about what she had done and said. Inspired, he joined the little girl in throwing starfish back into the sea.

EVERY CHILD DESERVES A SAFE, LOVING, AND PERMANENT FAMILY

We cannot do this work alone and we are so grateful for each and every gift of support. Together we can work to ensure our children and families receive the support and care they deserve and need.

FOUNDATIONS

Amazon Smile

The Benevity Community Impact Fund

CAF Charities Aid Foundation of America

Crestlea Foundation

Crystal Trust

The Discover Brighter Futures Fund

PayPal Giving Fund

Speedway Children’s Charities

United Way of Delaware

Wilmington Flower Market

INDIVIDUALS AND BUSINESSES

Almenia Cohen

America’s Charities

Archmere Academy

Christiana Rotary Club

Yvette Drazich

Kelly Ensslin

Fleece for Keeps, Inc.

Michael and Kathy Goldsmith

Janet Joyner

Johnson & Johnson

Ann Keen

Make My Donation Inc

James and Margaret Moore

Mount Pleasant High School Students

Ann and David North

Susan Oldenburg

Keith Roemer

Sister Mary Smith

Mary Steele

TisBest Philanthropy

Christopher Turner

USB Matching Gifts

GIFTS IN MEMORY

We are especially humbled to receive donations in memory of your loved ones. Thank you for choosing to honor them in this way.

Daniel and Mary Lou Edgar in memory of Rita Simon

Mary Holland in memory of Andy Meyer

Precision Electronic Glass, Inc in memory of John Rossi

Amy Renwick in memory of Jamie and David

GIFTS IN MEMORY OF JOHN TURNER

Robert Altman

Ralph Bankert

Jody Bitzel

Mary Jo Bundens

David and Lisa Campbell

Carole Cowperthwait

William J D’Amato

Daniel and Mary Lou Edgar

Robert Maffia

Bernardine Marini

Karen Micale

Marie Parks

Michael Piovoso

Gregory and Joanne Reilly

Ellen Riley

Shawn Riley

Nancy Selzer

Edward Sobel

Jessica Tagliaferro

Pam Takata

Mary Jo and Michael Wolfe

2023 IMPACT BY NUMBERS

178

197 Delaware families who received post-permanency services

Amazing children we supported

13 Educational trainings, along with two training series

98 Adoptions were finalized

MEET THE SPEECHLEY FAMILY

On Post-Permanency Support:

A Better Chance for Our Children’s post adoption support services have been invaluable to us as a family. We’ve taken advantage of therapy services, support groups, panicked emails and phone calls, shoulders to cry on and friends to laugh with. Adopting a child is very challenging some days; it’s a lifelong journey. Taking that journey alone is too difficult, and thanks to ABC, not necessary.

Perks of Support Group:

The post adoption support group, Connections for Permanency and Adoption Supports, introduced us to several parents. The group has two benefits. First, you get to share your experiences out loud, to other parents who truly understand. Second, you hear other parents’ trials and tribulations. In tandem, these benefits add up to making things not seem quite so bad. Plus, when you have good news, everyone celebrates along with you. Some of the parents we’ve met in the group will be lifelong friends.

On Giving Back:

It’s important to us to help as many people as we can. We’ve made it a priority in our lives to give as much as we can to the organizations that are doing the most good for others. We’ve been blessed; we consider it our mission to provide blessings to others. We could find a family and donate to them, they would benefit. But ABC gives us the ability to donate to an organization that does a lot of good for many families. It’s our small part, and we cherish it. If everyone who receives help from ABC gives just a little bit, imagine the good they could do!

* Our direct services include preparing, assessing, and supporting foster and adoptive families, connecting children with foster and adoptive families, and preparing children for adoption. We also offer an array of ongoing services that include family and child therapy, a robust education and training program, support groups, individualized case management, and our Rec-n-Respite program.

MEET CELESTE BISHOP PERMANENCY SPECIALIST

One of the reasons I came into this profession is because I had my own experience in foster care, and there were lots of things that people did wrong, from my perspective as a kid. So, the biggest thing for me [as a social worker] is to be able to say to people, this is how it feels when you do this or that, or make this decision, this is how it feels for the kid. That is why I got into social work.

Once I moved into working with foster families I started to realize, Ohh, the people that raised me could have done a much better job if they had known this or that, or if they had done this or done that. I want to take what I experienced and say to people who want to take care of other people’s children, you don’t have the right to take their story from them. And you don’t have to! Sharing in the child’s story with them will actually bring you and the child even closer!

DID YOU KNOW?

Each spring our staff joyfully volunteers at the Wilmington Flower Market.

WE ARE BUILDING A PLAYGROUND IN MILFORD!

We are building a playground at our Milford office for the children in our Rec-n-Respite program, childcare program, and for community events. Meet our Rec-n-Respite program supervisor, Pam Starling, and learn more about our Rec-n-Respite program. Hear from some of the amazing children we are privileged to support, on why a playground would improve their lives!

Huge thank you to Speedway Children’s Charities for helping us kick-off this project with the first $15,000!

The ADA accessible design features pour-in-place rubber which will also cut down on annual maintenance costs.

Your donation goes beyond building a playground—you are building resilience in young minds and bodies, promoting healing from unimaginable trauma, and providing a chance for youth to reach their full potential.

We appreciate your support during Delaware’s Do More 24 day of giving, March 7 - March 8. Set up an auto reminder to make your gift:

INTERVIEW WITH NICOLE MOZEE

Board Member

Nicole is a civil rights attorney and law professor at the newly established Wilmington University School of Law. Her legal career has always been in public service including a legal services non-profit and government.

1. You’re one of our newer board members, what attracted you to ABCFOC?

I was immediately interested in ABCFOC because of its commitment to family. Professionally, I worked as a family lawyer, working with survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault where I handled a variety of cases (protection from abuse, custody, guardianship etc.). At the core of all of my cases were children. I saw the impact legal challenges had on families, particularly the kids and always strived to connect them with other resources that provided hope and stability. Personally, I am a big family person and truly value being a support for little ones. What ABCFOC does dayto-day is right up the alley of where my heart lies.

2. You and your mom attended our annual fundraiser Music from the Heart last November, which was your first in-person event here. What was the energy of the event like as a newcomer?

We enjoyed the event! It was the first event of its kind that I ever attended. We liked seeing all the “prizes” and really enjoyed the auction segment. Mary Lou was a riot -- love her! The musical selections were also very nice. We got a trip to Mexico (my mom has been wanting to go for a while). Even though we were excited about that, I felt very content to know my money was going towards an amazing cause.

3. What is one thing you think ABCFOC is doing well? ABCFOC is doing a good job of being supportive and considerate of its staff in addition to the families it serves. The staff are so important -- they’re pushing the daily work of the organization. And they also are the ones who witness some of the challenges that exist in this work. ABCFOC prioritizes its staff -- to be supportive and uplifting, helping them to create better balance.

4. What is one thing you are excited about for ABCFOC’s future?

Excited to see how the organization will continue to grow and possibly increase its outreach by serving other demographics of children (e.g., immigration challenges).

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

PRESIDENT

Robin Duquella

VICE PRESIDENT

S Charles Bean

SECRETARY

Nicole Mozee

TREASURER

John Grieshaber

Michael Beyer

Daniel P. Edgar

Meg Garey

Sarah Holliday

Mariann Kenville-Moore

Amy Renwick

Gina Robinson

Grace Stockley

Karin Weining

Ron Zambrano