AOK Appreciation Breakfast

a cartoon of a sneaker with an ice cream cone on it and the words "AOK Sundae Funday"

Inaugural AOK Appreciation Breakfast In honor of National Adoption Month, this fundraising event recognizes the foster/adoptive families and social workers on the front lines of the Massachusetts child welfare system.   Brunch buffet, great raffle prizes, inspiring talks, and celebration of this amazing community. This event has been postponed. A new date in early 2024…

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Job Opening at AOK!

Family Support Navigator: AOK Resource & Support Hub All Our Kids, Inc. is seeking a seasoned foster/adoptive parent who is passionate about supporting other foster/adoptive families in navigating the child welfare system. AOK is a Western MA-based, grassroots, nonprofit organization committed to empowering foster and adoptive families to thrive by enriching community connectedness, providing education…

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AOK Executive Director interviewed on CAI Radio Show “The Point”

Listen to the audio here From CAI (Local NPR for the Cape, Coast & Islands)… “The pandemic has served to highlight the shortcomings of the state’s child welfare system. Child advocates have long called for more oversight, transparency and accountability for the state agencies responsible for the safety of children. We talk with June Ameen,…

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Five Years of AOK!

In February of 2022, AOK celebrates its fifth anniversary! We are so excited with our growth and all we’ve been able to do for our community during these last five years. Check out this infographic:

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A Different Kind of Thanks

It’s significant that Thanksgiving and National Adoption Month coincide. There is so much to be grateful for around adoption, and the spirit of giving thanks comes easily when we think about how our lives are immeasurably strengthened and enhanced by the presence of our children. I’m eternally grateful for my kids, for the experiences we’ve…

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Keynote Address: Children’s Study Home 2019 Meeting

On June 6, 2019, I shared the keynote address with State Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier (D-Pittsfield) at the Children’s Study Home Annual Meeting. Rep. Farley-Bouvier shared some information about the Foster Parents Bill of Rights, and her legislative advocacy at the state level. I talked about the challenges of being on the front lines of foster…

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Six years later: Reflecting on our “gotcha” moment

Mind blowing. Honestly, it’s mind blowing. Just hours after Marianna and I recorded the latest episode of the AOK podcast, during which I made reference to my family’s finalization day–a moment I referred to as “three years ago”–a happenstance Facebook memory served me up the reality. It was actually six years ago. Six. Freaking. Years.…

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No Judge Would Ever Take Her Away

There are a lot of well-meaning comments about our journey through foster care from well-intentioned friends and family that really rub me the wrong way. I don’t know how you do it; my heart couldn’t take it. You’re such an angel. That baby is so lucky to have you. These statements make me uncomfortable because…

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