Named in honor of Casey's former president and CEO Ruth Massinga, these awards honor foster care constituents who work to provide, improve and prevent the need for foster care.
Casey Family Programs congratulates the winners of the 2007 Ruth Massinga Awards:
Alumni Award
John Seita, Ed.D., East Lansing, Michigan
Associate Professor, School of Social Work, Michigan State University; author,In Whose Best Interest?, God Is In The Kitchen and Other Everyday Miracles, and Kids Who Outwit Adults.
Birth Parent Award
Brenda Lopez, Tacoma, Washington
Founder, The Bridge – From Dependency to Community and Beyond, a non-profit agency; developed and facilitates “Parent to Parent.”
Kinship Caregiver Award
Opal Bufford, Thurmont, Maryland
Co-founder and CEO, GrandFamilies of America, Inc.; established a network of 24 kinship caregiver support groups across the state of Indiana.
Foster Parent Award
Elizabeth Barber, Bassfield, Mississippi
President, Pine Belt Seedlings, a nine-county support group for foster and adoptive parents.
Thank you to all recipients for your outstanding professional work, leadership, and volunteer service.