Scott, James recognized for support of fostering
Dawn Scott and Consevella James were honored at a special dinner held June 28 in the Grand Hall of the Governor’s Mansion in Little Rock. The 35th Anniversary Celebration of Treatment Homes (also known as Thinc) marked 3 ½ decades of the agency’s provision of a therapeutic family environment for foster children with emotional problems.
Guests shopped silent-auction items before sitting down to dinner and a program for which Rodney Crownover served as a humorous master of ceremonies. Pianist James Horton and trumpeter LaVante Pettigrew provided music. The evening included a slide show of Treatment Homes activities.
Christie Erwin introduced Scott, KTHV-TV evening news anchor and recipient of the Make a Difference Award for her Emmy Award-winning news segment, “A Place to Call Home,” featuring foster children eligible for adoption. “Her empathy, and her deep love for waiting kids, has shown brightly through the television screens,” Erwin said of Scott. Quick to pass credit, Scott urged all therapeutic foster parents to stand and be recognized. “You all are the people doing the tough work,” she said to the parents, who’d served for up to 34 years. During her inspirational acceptance speech, Scott also shared anecdotes about the foster children she’d encountered.
Past board chairman Paula Patterson introduced James, a founder and longtime head of Treatment Homes and recipient of the Thinc Angel Award for 40-plus years of advocacy for therapeutic services for children. During her acceptance speech, James also recognized foster families as well as her staff, who she called to her side, and board members.
Rose and Charles Dirden and Mary and Jim Larmoyeux shared stories of the “joys and challenges” of serving as therapeutic foster parents. Concluding the evening was a live auction.
— Story and photos by
Helaine R. Williams