Family Service of Rhode Island Launches “We Take Pride in All Families” Campaign
Friday, November 07, 2014
(L to R) Greg Wright, Family Service of RI, foster care recruiter; Phyllis Arffa, co-owner of Blaze Restaurant; Family Service of RI CEO Margaret Holland McDuff; and foster parents Marc Fernandes and Michael Leighton of Providence Photo credit: Stephen Hug
We Take Pride in All Families
“We are holding this press conference to heighten awareness that LGBTQ individuals and couples can be and are foster parents,” said Family Service of Rhode Island CEO Margaret Holland McDuff. “Our recruitment campaign is called ‘We Take Pride in All Families’ and we are hoping that more LGBTQ Rhode Islanders will feel encouraged to open their hearts and homes to children in need. LGBTQ families are a valued and vital part of our community.”
Using Social Media to Spread the Message
Family Service of Rhode Island will be using #wetakeprideinallfamilies for its Twitter and Facebook postings related to the campaign.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe press conference was held at Blaze Restaurant on Hope Street in Providence on Thursday, November 6 at 1 p.m. “We are pleased to support Family Service of Rhode Island in the ‘We Take Pride in All Families’ campaign,” said Phyllis Arffa, co-owner of Blaze. “My partner and I know firsthand that this message needs to get out there to LGBTQ Rhode Islanders that they are truly welcome and needed.”
Raising awareness
Michael Leighton and Marc Fernandes, of Providence, who are foster parents to two young children, said the “We Take Pride in All Families” campaign is needed to let the LGBTQ community know that “the welcome mat is out” for them.
“We became foster parents because we felt there was something missing in the lives we have been building together over the past decade,” said Mr. Leighton, 46. He noted that the couple owns a house in Providence, is getting married in January, and hopes to eventually adopt the two children currently in their care. “We hope to help remove any stigma out there regarding LGBTQ foster parents, and raise awareness that not only are LGBTQ individuals and couples wanted, but are greatly needed.”
“Thank you Family Service of Rhode Island for creating the ‘We Take Pride in All Families’ campaign," said Kerri Kanelos, executive director at Youth Pride Inc. "Raising awareness that LGBTQ individuals and couples are needed and valued as foster parents is an important step in finding loving homes for children in need.”
Anyone interested in learning more about becoming a foster parent should contact Greg Wright at 401-331-1350 ext. 3305, [email protected]. More information is also available here.
An information open house about becoming a foster parent will take place on Wednesday, November 19 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at Family Service of Rhode Island’s office at 134 Thurbers Avenue, Providence.
Family Service of Rhode Island is a statewide human service and education agency.
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