"Fostering the future"

Mary-Jeanne Smith is the contracted Exuctive Assistant for FPAWS. She handles the day to day tasks that keep FPAWS running smoothly. She also works with fundraising, grant writing and various other duties as needed. If your interested in becoming a FPAWS sustaining member or sponsor please contact her at 509-876-6245 or e-mail MJ@fpaws.org

Mary-Jeanne, and her husband Larry, have been foster parents for over 12 years. Mary-Jeanne was also in foster and relative care as a teenager.The Smith's foster home has a strong fucus on family reunifactaion. When reunifacation has not been succesful they’ve taken guardianship of several of their foster children and made them permanent members of their family. They’ve also been instrumental in helping their teen foster children attend college upon leaving their home. 
 
The Smith's goal with their foster children is to take them from viewing themselves as victims to believing they are victors. Mary-Jeanne states "Every child has the opportunity to overcome their past and have a bright future with the proper support and love. Our work with FPAWS is about making sure that each child that enters foster care in this state recieves that opportunity."
 
Mary-Jeanne serves as the region 2 representative on the Children’s Administration HB-1624 statewide consultation group. She also serves her community on the Columbia County Children & Families Coalition, the Columbia County DV/SA Coalition, the Columbia County Community Protection Team and is active in her local church as well.