Foster Parent (Jamaica, NY)

In 1995, on the day after Christmas, Diane Dunk and her husband Leander received two special gifts when they became foster parents to a brother and sister. Diane says:

"We considered it a belated holiday present to each other. We had already raised two caring and productive children of our own. I felt it was time to help other families in our community."

Over the next two years the Dunks cared for the children and worked closely with their birth mother, which ultimately resulted in a happy family reunification. In December 1997, Diane and Leander welcomed two young brothers into their foster home. After nearly a decade of living together as a family, the Dunks became adoptive parents to these siblings in February 2007.

A retired medical professional, Diane is a certified, licensed special needs foster and adoptive resource parent. Recognized as a leader in her community, she also is a valued resource for other families. She played an integral part in re-building her agency’s foster parent association serving as the Vice President. She also is the proud organizer of many agency events including an annual scholarship dinner benefiting local foster youth seeking higher education.

Over the years, Diane has become a wonderful ambassador for foster parenting. She is determined to help waiting children find the homes they need and deserve. She makes presentations at national conferences, volunteers at recruitment events and refers many of her personal friends and colleagues to her agency. Most importantly, she is a dedicated, compassionate child advocate who mobilizes, mentors and supports other foster families. In 2002, Diane became an Anchor Parent for the NYC Circle of Support, an initiative that offers monthly, community-based support groups for foster parents. She also is an active member of the Southeast Queens Neighborhood Network and the New York State Foster and Adoptive Association. In her spare time, Diane enjoys writing poetry and has shared her inspirational words in several foster parent newsletters.

In 2003, the New York City Administration for Children's Services presented Diane with a Golden Heart Award in honor of her many achievements, but particularly for her commitment to working with families of children placed in her care. Recently, she helped establish Full Circle, an innovative program that connects and unites foster and birth parents in the hopes of strengthening bonds and promoting better understanding and collaboration. She says:

"Being a good parent means making a commitment to doing whatever is in the best interests of the child. Foster parenting is about caring for the whole family-because these children are in crisis and need all of us to put them first. The work may be challenging, but I am blessed with many rewards, too."