WAPAKONETA, OH (WLIO) - Tonight's featured Jefferson Award winner is Paige Fiebelkorn. She saw a lack of resources for foster and adoptive families and is finding ways to help youth and caregivers thrive.
"We have been foster parents, going on year 8, my husband and I. We have had 32 children in 8 years, and we currently have 7, so. Four of those we have adopted from the foster care system, and we have two biological and one current foster kiddo. And so, we have a beautiful blended family," says Paige Fiebelkorn.
Paige Fiebelkorn is now helping other beautiful blended families with Generations of Love. The organization was started a year ago to help foster, kinship, and adoptive families.
"We have a lack of foster parents. I think that is a known thing. We have so many kiddos that are waiting for, you know, a loving household. So, if we can give those foster parents those resources locally and make it easier for them to say yes, Make it easier for foster parents to sign up to take those placements. Well, we have done our job," adds Fiebelkorn.
Some of the resources that Fiebelkorn wants to offer at Generations of Love are a drop-in center with homework help, mental health counseling, and art and music therapy for youth. Plus, respite care gives caregivers a break. She is also raising money to put in a baby box at the Wapakoneta Fire Department. Kala Helms nominated Fiebelkorn because of her selfless nature.
"Whenever I thank Paige, she is thanking someone else. She either thanks me right back or she says, you know, all the credit goes to all the kiddos involved or the community that supports us," says Helms. "She's one of those people that gives selflessly; she gives everything that she can, and it's just amazing, it's inspiring."
"Now, with the opportunities that we currently have with our new building, our resources are going to be there, and the community has really came around. Without the community, none of this would be possible. And yeah, it's an amazing journey. The last month it has really came a long way, and we can't wait to see how far we are next year," adds Fiebelkorn.
That was Paige Fiebelkorn, one of your Jefferson Award winners.
