This is a home from the Haverhill Office, but a nice story all the same!
The Mcloons took MAPP with the Salem Office so some of you may know them.
Ipswich foster family recognized for outstanding service
By Sean BourbeauStaff writer
IPSWICH - The McLoons want to let their foster children know they have support when they need it. David McLoon explains a simple gesture like buying a bureau can let the child know "you're here to stay."
"I'm happy to provide a safe place for the kids," David McLoon said.
David and his wife, Lisa, were recently among 37 foster parents recognized as "all stars" by the Department of Social Services and Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.
All foster parents deserve to be recognized, said Betsy Antrim, the DSS social worker who nominated the McLoons. But she said she was especially touched by the couple's willingness to go above and beyond what's expected.
"They've gone the extra mile as far as traveling to communities to maintain visits and to do whatever they can to support that connection with the birth family," Antrim said. "There's a genuineness about them."
The couple said they fell into foster parenting by accident. Their first foster children were friends with their son Ian, 15, and daughter Erin, 13. As time went on, they spent more and more time at their house. In October 2004, the McLoons began what's known as a kinship placement, functioning as the children's guardians until they were reunited with their father.
After this experience, DSS asked if they would consider becoming foster parents. The McLoons agreed and took the required course. They have since taken six children into their home.
The McLoons view their role as foster parents as a natural extension of their personal and professional lives.
"We have a lot of kids around our house anyway," David McLoon said.
"On a normal day, there are 10 teenagers in the house," Lisa McLoon said. "They're fun because they really are kids but they're understanding the adult world."
Lisa McLoon is a registered nurse, and David McLoon is a lawyer. They both believe it's important to give back to the community.
David McLoon mostly represents low-income clients in cases of personal bankruptcy and child services. He splits his work schedule between his private practice and the Franciscan Hospital for Children. He's an active contributor to Neighborhood Legal Services in Lynn.
The couple hope their commitment to the community has positively influenced all of their children. Their son was chosen by his teachers to be in a mentorship program at his high school. Their foster daughter was recently elected by her peers to help pick the new principal.
A lot of the demands and stresses of being a teenager can be magnified as a foster child. The McLoons acknowledge this reality and want to provide a supportive, yet noninvasive, environment for their foster children.
"I try to leave the door open so they can always come in," said Lisa McLoon, adding, "sometimes I'll pull them in."
If anything is bothering her children, Lisa McLoon said, she'll take them down to the ocean with a bag of candy, sit down, talk and eat. The McLoons want their children to grow up feeling safe and comfortable, but Lisa McLoon extends this invitation to anyone who comes into her home.
"I want them to feel comfortable being able to come in and not (worry) about taking off their shoes," Lisa McLoon said.
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