Redd named Foster Dad of Year

Joel Redd of Blanding is one of five outstanding fathers, who nurture children in foster care, who were honored by the Utah Foster Care Foundation and the Utah Division of Child and Family Services on Saturday, June 14.

The dads are from various Utah communities and were nominated by foster care professionals and their own families.

“The fathers we are recognizing are truly committed to caring for the children in their homes” says Kelsey Lewis, Director of Recruitment for the Utah Foster Care Foundation. “Like all children, children in foster care benefit tremendously from the active involvement of a father in their lives.”

The five Foster/Adoptive Dads of the Year and their families were treated to a weekend getaway at the Foundation’s annual Chalk Art Festival, a luncheon in their honor and gifts.

The Utah Foster Care Foundation is a non-profit organization that finds, educates and nurtures families to meet the needs of children in foster care.

If you are interested in hearing more about becoming a foster/adoptive family, contact the UFCF foster parent recruiter in Moab, Geri Winkler at (435)259-3345 or go to www.utahfostercare.org.

Redd has been a licensed foster/adoptive parent since August, 2006. Joel is the proud father of six children. He shows his children they are important to him by going to work each morning at 5:30 a.m. so that he can pick them up from school to spend afternoons with them. He helps with the homework and enjoys playing with them outside.

During his time as a foster parent, Joel and his wife have cared for one child continuously, and is giving him a stable home and making it possible for him to maintain relationships with his biological family. Joel will often times supervise visits for this child with family members, so that he may see them more frequently.

Jennifer summed it up best, “He supports all of his children and is always looking out for their best interest even if it’s uncomfortable for him. He’s never worried about being the hero dad or the most loved parent or anything, he only worries about his kids’ health, safety, future, and above all their happiness and well being. He puts his family first in all aspects of life and we love him for that.”