Foster Parent of the Year

Giving stability and love: Salem mother and YMCA director named 'foster parent of the year'

By Tom Dalton
Staff writer

April 16, 2009 05:07 am

—

SALEM — Debbie Amaral met Jose Rivera for the first time nearly a decade ago. She had gone to the 12-year-old boy's apartment to ask if he had stolen a Game Boy video game from the Salem YMCA.

It was a strange way to meet, but it led to a wonderful relationship. Amaral, the executive director of the Salem Y, is now the legal guardian of Jose, who today is in college and calls her Mom.

"There was just something about him that was charming," she said.

Since meeting Jose, life for the 42-year-old Amaral has been turned upside down - but in a good way.

In addition to being legal guardian to 21-year-old Jose, she is becoming legal guardian of a 16-year-old boy, has begun adoption proceedings on a 7-year-old boy and is hoping to adopt his 2-year-old half-sister, all of whom live with her.

Considering all that has happened over the past nine years, it is not surprising that Amaral has been named "foster parent of the year" by the area office of the state Department of Children and Families, the former Department of Social Services.

"Deb's energy and commitment to children is endless," Carla King, a foster parent recruiter for the state, wrote in a nomination letter.

Amaral deflects any praise, and agreed to be interviewed largely to encourage other adults to become foster parents. Although there are sacrifices, and bad days with good, she says she has received much more from her foster children than she has given.

And she has learned what a difference one person can make.

"There are just so many kids who need somebody," she said during an interview in her office at the Y, where she has photos of all four children.

Amaral, a single parent, got formally involved with Jose when he was removed from his family's home and placed in a group home. When that didn't work out, the boy's case manager called Amaral and asked if she could take Jose for the weekend.

"I hadn't had any of the training courses," she said. "I had nothing. I just had this kid in my house."

Jose has not always been easy, Amaral said, but she was impressed by many things, including his ability to get into trouble and do good all at once. On the same week he ran away from his grandmother's house, Jose somehow kept a promise to turn in money he collected for the HAWC Walk, a local charity that helps abused women and their children.

"You could tell there was some good stuff in this kid," she said.

Amaral credits the Salem public schools, especially Collins Middle School, and staff at the YMCA, where her children attend pre-school and after-school programs, with providing invaluable help and support.

They have allowed her to give these children what they need most - stability and love.

"There are plenty of other great kids," she said, "... and they need someplace to call home."

Interested in foster parenting?

Contact Carla King, a foster parent recruiter at the area office of the Department of Children and Families, at 978-825-3862 or at carla.king@state.ma.us.

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Another family was also named. The Garvins of Danvers. But they were a little camera shy.... but no less deserving of this honor. We thank them both and ALL the foster families for making a difference in the lives of our children day in and day out.