Children Services bestows Rising Up, Moving On awards

Staff report

NILES

Trumbull County Children Services had its Rising Up and Moving On recognition luncheon at noon April 15 at McMenamy’s Banquet Center, 325 Youngstown Warren Road.

The annual event honors Children Services families and children who have overcome great adversity.

This year, awards were presented to Christine D’Angelo, Michelle Henderson and Shafer Davis, and Ashleigh.

Children Services also honored a community member for her volunteerism, commitment and generosity to children. The Service to Children Award went to Lauren Wimer.

Guest speakers were Karen Ezerim and Chas Kottenbrook, members of Ohio’s Primary Parent Council. They spoke about their experiences as a parent and foster parent working with children services as well as the mission of the Ohio Primary Council.

D’Angelo gave birth to Madison in August 2012, and both tested positive for opiates and marijuana. The baby was placed with the maternal grandmother and given a drug to take for withdrawal symptoms.

D’Angelo continued to use heroin and marijuana with Madison’s father. In October 2012 she entered inpatient treatment at the Neil Kennedy Recovery Clinic.

She has completed the treatment, continues to attend NA meetings and moved back into her mother’s home to care for her daughter. She got a job, bought a car and has helped her mother to maintain the family home.

D’Angelo has regained legal custody of Madison.

Henderson is the mother of 12, and Davis is the father of five of the children. The couple have struggled for years with substance abuse and mental health concerns.

Eleven of the 12 children have been taken away from them.

The birth of the 12th child, Sierra, changed everything. Before Sierra’s birth Henderson initiated substance abuse treatment, and Davis followed suit after the baby was born. Sierra was put into foster care because of the couple’s history.

The couple stayed the course, established housing, completed parenting classes and maintained treatment in a methadone program.

Visitations with their daughter gradually increased, and because of their willingness to change and parent this child, they were awarded permanent custody of Sierra in March.

Lauren Wimer, a Howland High School Senior, had a desire to help children who are sent unceremoniously into foster care.

As a daughter of foster caregivers, she is sensitive to the issue. Wimer donated 50 backpacks for children who enter foster care. They are filled with personal care items, coloring books, stuffed animals and other comfort items.

Wimer, a member of Howland Girl Scout Troop 598, completed the program as a Gold Award project. She will receive the honor award in June.

Ashleigh, 18, went into foster care in 2003. In her short life she has overcome more obstacles than many adults could even imagine.

She lived with her father for a while, but he was forced to place her into Trumbull Children Services in 2009 because of her severe behaviors.

She’s been in multiple residential and institutional placements yet managed to keep her sense of humor.

In 2013 she was placed in a community home, where she has flourished. She earns good grades and counsels her fellow students to make good decisions.

She has beaten the odds and in the end is just a typical 18-year-old young lady.