I’ve hijacked Rita Soronen’s column this month to do something she probably won’t enjoy. I’m going to say a whole bunch of really nice things about her and highlight some of her work.
You see, Rita is a lot like me. She doesn’t do this work because she likes the attention or needs to make herself feel good. She does it for the same reason I do it; we’re supposed to.
Some know, some don’t, Rita was one of the very first people I called when I started the magazine.
Not sure exactly how I got her direct line, but I did, and she was kind enough to let me chat her up.
I wasn’t ready to justify the magazine’s value to a group as large as the Dave Thomas Foundation on Adoption at that point in the game but a couple years later, I felt I was. I read that she was testifying before Congress, so I hopped in my car and made the trip south.
When I introduced myself after her testimony I thought for sure she would tell me she was late for a meeting, I should email her and off she would go. To my surprise, she remembered me, took some time to speak to me about the improvements the magazine had made and she promised she would do whatever it is she could do to help make the magazine a national success. I was floored.
She followed through a month later when the first Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption advertisement graced the pages of Foster Focus. For most people that would be enough, the CEO of easily the most recognized name in adoption agreeing to allow her group’s name to advertised in your magazine is the top of the mountain. I’m not most people. I asked her if should could lend her writing talents to the magazine as well, remarkably she agreed and the Road to Home column was born.
Since that time I have called on her for help on a handful of occasions and each time she has been helpful and beyond approachable. This is a tough gig, people like Rita who are in a position of influence make this job easier when they believe in what I am doing. Rita is one of the people who I am sure sees what I am trying to accomplish and wants to see it come to fruition. The boost of confidence that gives me is immeasurable.
Another note about DTFA under Rita’s leadership; nearly all the alumni run events I attend have the DTFA logo on their list of sponsors.
Rita’s job is to ensure that adoption from foster care is not a rare occurrence but a frequent one. She makes sure this happens by supporting the very people who come from foster care. Whether they had been adopted or not, Rita makes sure they know their worth, know that their efforts to help current foster youth are not in vain. Because of all of her active support she has become admired and loved in the foster care alumni world. She’s one of us. She fights for us. She supports us. She cares about our success. How many CEOs of nationally recognized groups or companies can you say that about? Not many.
I could have easily taken this column and pontificated about adoption and my thoughts on the matter or spent the column space to talk about the brand new www.FosterFocusMag.com and that would have been time well spent. But Rita doesn’t seek out the spotlight. She does her job, does it well and quietly takes in all that she’s done.
I thought it was about time she was thanked and National Foster Care Month is a great time for that.
So Rita, on behalf of myself, Foster Focus, former and current foster kids and adopted kids from all across the nation. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Owner/Editor - Chris Chmielewski