In the area of human services, while the hardest work might be done by volunteers for Hospice and Matthew House who deal with those who are dying and their loved ones, a close second has to be the long-term work done by foster parents on behalf of the children they take in. It is rarely easy providing a solid home for troubled teens #- yet, day in and day out, this area's families do just that.
Earlier this month, U.S. Rep. Michael Arcuri recognized two local residents who, for more than two decades, have made a difference in the lives of the 100-plus children that have come through their home. Two weeks ago the Congressional Coalition on Adoption held its annual event in Washington with its “Angels in Adoption” awards.
Arcuri honored Peter “Moses” and Bonny Albanese, of Moravia, with the “Angels” designation for New York's 24th Congressional District. There likely wasn't a better choice in his sprawling 11-county district that starts in Oneida County and ends in Geneva. The Albaneses have had more than 100 children live in their southern Cayuga County home. Along the way they have adopted eight teenage foster children to add to their family that includes three biological children.
No small feat. But it has made the difference in dozens of lives over the last two decades (as a matter of disclosure, during the mid-1990s one of the Albaneses' foster children served as a student intern for me at city hall). Foster parents may be the only stability in a roller coaster world for the teenagers, juvenile delinquents and Persons in Need of Supervision (PINS) who have been the focus of the Albaneses' work.
Anyone who has had children or works with them knows that the normal teenage years are the toughest #- mix this with abuse, a broken home, delinquency or a whole host of other teenage traumas and you know why couples like the Albaneses are unsung heroes. They don't do it for the plaudits, but because they care.
By the way, this couple's efforts are not limited to just helping those 100-plus children #- the Albaneses also serve as trainers and tutors for prospective foster care parents. They have also worked with birth parents to move towards that important goal of reunifying parents and children, which has been done by inviting them into their home and serving to build a bridge with the children.
Clearly the Albaneses deserved not only the recognition from Arcuri, but also to have the moniker “Angels in Adoption” bestowed on them.
Cosentino is a former mayor of Auburn and can be contacted at cozguytho@aol.com
Arcuri honored Peter “Moses” and Bonny Albanese, of Moravia, with the “Angels” designation for New York's 24th Congressional District. There likely wasn't a better choice in his sprawling 11-county district that starts in Oneida County and ends in Geneva. The Albaneses have had more than 100 children live in their southern Cayuga County home. Along the way they have adopted eight teenage foster children to add to their family that includes three biological children.
No small feat. But it has made the difference in dozens of lives over the last two decades (as a matter of disclosure, during the mid-1990s one of the Albaneses' foster children served as a student intern for me at city hall). Foster parents may be the only stability in a roller coaster world for the teenagers, juvenile delinquents and Persons in Need of Supervision (PINS) who have been the focus of the Albaneses' work.
Anyone who has had children or works with them knows that the normal teenage years are the toughest #- mix this with abuse, a broken home, delinquency or a whole host of other teenage traumas and you know why couples like the Albaneses are unsung heroes. They don't do it for the plaudits, but because they care.
By the way, this couple's efforts are not limited to just helping those 100-plus children #- the Albaneses also serve as trainers and tutors for prospective foster care parents. They have also worked with birth parents to move towards that important goal of reunifying parents and children, which has been done by inviting them into their home and serving to build a bridge with the children.
Clearly the Albaneses deserved not only the recognition from Arcuri, but also to have the moniker “Angels in Adoption” bestowed on them.
Cosentino is a former mayor of Auburn and can be contacted at cozguytho@aol.com
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