SCHNECKSVILLE, PA (May 21, 2024) – Marking May as National Foster Care Awareness Month, KidsPeace announced that Phil and Mindy Wheeler have been selected as the organization’s Resource Parents of the Year for Pennsylvania.

The Wheelers have worked with KidsPeace’s Foster Care and Community Programs office in Reading, PA since 2015.  In the family’s nomination for the honor, it was noted they have accepted and cared for a wide range of children placed with them, and have shown a talent for “bridging the gap” to aid in reunification of children with biological families, developing a working relationship that is trusting and positive with the child and family going forward. 

In addition, the nomination praises the Wheelers’ commitment to helping with the activities of the Reading office – such as the annual “Foster Hope Festival” and “Jingle in July” 5k run — as well supporting other foster parents as mentors and resources. 

The Wheelers and three other families were honored at the annual KidsPeace National Foster Care Conference, held virtually on Wednesday, May 15 for foster parents and staff of the organization’s foster care offices in Pennsylvania, Maine, New York, Virginia, North Carolina and Indiana. The conference featured a panel discussion with former foster youth and current foster parents offering their perspective on the foster care experience.

For more information about KidsPeace’s foster care offerings, and to view videos of the state Resource Parent of the Year honorees, visit www.fostercare.com/videos.

Since 1882, KidsPeace has been building on its expertise to give hope, help and healing to children, adults and those who love them. Through its comprehensive range of residential treatment programs; accredited educational services; unique psychiatric hospital and foster care and community-based programs, KidsPeace is dedicated to helping people connect, transform and overcome their challenges to ensure a stable future, transition to adulthood and gain independence. Since its doors opened, more than 300,000 children have participated in one of the multitude of programs KidsPeace offers.

For additional resources or more information on how to get involved, become a foster parent or make a donation, please visit www.kidspeace.org. Follow us atwww.facebook.com/kidspeace.org or on Twitter @KidsPeace.

Information provided to TVL by:

Robert Martin