Donna Kreese

How many foster kids in Calgary are waiting for someone to care for them? 100? 500? 5,000?

Donna Kreese, volunteer coordinator with Hull Child and Family Services, won’t allow herself to become overwhelmed with the actual number, should she dare to speak it.

“Too many,” she offers, simply. “There are way too many kids looking for homes.”

Hull offers both residential and community treatment for children and families with severe emotional difficulties.

Kreese has been with Hull, which opened in 1962, for the last 18 years, primarily working with volunteer mentors in its Foster Care program. Her duties have varied widely over the years, as her role and the programs have evolved. But one thing has remained constant: the children that Hull serves come with a great variety of problematic behaviours and developmental deficiencies in areas such as psychological, social, cognitive, family, physical and behavioural functioning.

Fortunately, there is a caring and committed team at Hull that chooses to look beyond the behaviours and history of the children, and seeks to instead believe there is something unique each child has to offer.

“I have a great team,” says Kreese, “Every day is different. Every day I come with my list of things to do, and then something happens and we have to change direction, and out goes the list. But I love working with kids, in every level of difficulty.”

Indeed, Kreese and her co-workers seem to thrive on the daily crises, the challenges of finding suitable homes and mentors for these children, the 24-hour on-call shifts — if only to see one kid finding his or her passion, or just making it through one day without a major incident.

“I think of these kids, who have had far more challenges than I will ever have, and these kids and families are so creative, so forgiving, even in the face of constant government changes. It is really inspiring,” says Kreese.

Another inspiration is Kreese’s “wall of fame” kids — those who have overcome incredible odds to attain significant accomplishments or who have blossomed with the help of a dedicated mentor or foster family.

“Those are the ones who keep me here.”

Abbi M. Singh
For inspiring others with his young-at-heart effort

Karo
For being pro bono pros

Parent Support Association
For its unique contribution to keeping parents' sanity

Simon Madhol Atem
For fighting for peace

Dr. Maria Eriksen
For giving, and giving, and giving

MEOW Foundation
For doing the most with the least

Peter Mauro
For sharing a love of music

The Pumphouse Theatres Society
For cultivating the arts

Paul Hagel
For being on board

The Alexandra Community Health Centre
For building a healthier community

Momentum
For providing a caring push