FOSTER FAMILY HOME MAKEOVER

(From the ASID Georgia Newsletter, Spring/Summer 2008)

ASID Georgia chapter members are teaming up with their Industry Partners, local sponsors and Creative Community Services, Inc. to create a home makeover for an Atlanta foster family in May, Foster Parents’ Month. CCS, Inc. is the largest therapeutic foster care agency in the state and, under contract to the state Department of Children and Family Services, provides the many services necessary to serve and heal the most abused and neglected children, or the children with special needs, that would otherwise be underserved by state services alone.

“Our children require more specialized services, plus plenty of love and support, from a lot of devoted team members, their foster parents in particular, if they are to live productive, happy lives, “ said Alison Findlay, CCS Development Director. “Hence, our foster parents tend to have very little time to spend updating and designing their interiors. Additionally, it will be a new experience for the foster child, who has never had their own room designed according to their own taste before. We thought it would be a rewarding time for everyone involved to pitch in for Foster Parents’ Month and honor one lucky family annually with a home makeover.”

Phyllis Frierson, ASID, of Frierson Design in Atlanta, eagerly volunteered to chair the design team that includes Chris Socci, Muriel Sackey, Kristy Pollock and Elizabeth Hutcheson. “I am so fired up about it because it is truly a way to give someone… something that they would probably only dream of having - a space personalized just for them by professional interior designers,” said Phyllis.

The team already has commitments from Manny Llerena of Mohawk Industries to provide new carpet for the home and Rick Pleva, owner of Gotcha Covered, who pledged new window treatments. Eric Burks, currently in New Orleans filming a segment of “Extreme Home Makeover,” has offered his assistance with the HVAC system. Additional resources will be identified through suppliers for Home Depot as necessary.

The family was selected by a drawing at the CCS Foster Parents’ Appreciation Dinner on March 1st and consists of foster mother Jeri H., her adult biological daughter Ciara H. and her foster daughter, Elizabeth, who is anticipating the May project with great enthusiasm.

“ASID is very happy to be involved in making this project happen,” said ASID Georgia Chapter President Teresa S. Sword, Vice President-Heery International, Inc.

For more information, or to volunteer, contact Alison Findlay at CCS, Inc. at (770) 469-6226, ext. 157 or at afindlay@ccsgeorgia.org
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