The Family Center is delighted to announce that the 2023 CURA award for Outstanding Caregiver (hosted once a year by the NYS Kincare Coalition) is being given to Colleen – an incredible woman, mother, grandmother, and overall caregiver, whom The Family Center has been fortunate to work with over the last several years. The CURA Outstanding Caregiver Award, which recognizes "selflessness, leadership and/or overcoming tremendous barriers," could not be better suited for Colleen.
Since 2013, Colleen has been devotedly caring, and fiercely advocating, for her grandchildren. Her oldest grandson came to her at age eight, and his placement was followed by her receiving guardianship custody of three more grandchildren, at the ages of 3 years, 2 years, and 3 days (the last coming to her straight from the hospital).
The children came with many needs, and she has worked arduously to meet them. Colleen will adamantly tell you that “it takes a village.” But Colleen is the Hercules building that village. By The Family Center’s count, Colleen has advocated on behalf of her grandchildren to over two dozen organizations, agencies, schools and government entities in the last ten years. During the darkest days of Covid and the NYS lockdown, she travelled on public transportation from Brooklyn to Yonkers nearly every weekend to ensure that her oldest grandson was safe at his residential placement.
With TFC's support, she's further succeeded in connecting her grandson with a job, and engaging her younger three in several enriching extracurricular activities and summer camps. Despite struggling with dyslexia, Colleen has tirelessly worked to provide the best childhood her grandchildren could ever dream of. We're awed and inspired by her tenacity, strength, and courage, and grateful to celebrate this award with her.
Note: If you, or someone you know, needs caregiving support, The Family Center offers a range of financial, emotional, and therapeutic supports, which you can view here.
