Oakland Family Services Hosts Foster Family Appreciation Day at the Detroit Zoo
On July 20, our Family Preservation team had the privilege of honoring our incredible foster families with a special Appreciation Day at the Detroit Zoo — a small token of our deep gratitude for the life-changing love and support these families provide every day.
We were proud to recognize several foster parent milestones, celebrating those who have dedicated 1, 5, 10, 15, and even 20 years to caring for children and youth in need. Each milestone represents countless moments of love, healing, and resilience — and we are incredibly thankful for the commitment these families continue to show.
This year, we also took time to honor the memory of a beloved foster parent who passed away in June 2024. Her legacy lives on in the most powerful way: through her family. In attendance were her daughter, sister, and niece — all foster parents today because of her incredible influence. Remarkably, two more relatives are currently in the licensing process, continuing the path she so passionately paved. Over the years, she fostered many children and adopted a few, leaving behind a legacy of unconditional love and lifelong impact.
From toddlers to teens, children and their caregivers enjoyed a fun day at the zoo filled with laughter and wild adventures alongside giraffes, lions, penguins, and more! Thirty-two foster parents, four adult children of foster parents, fifty-four children, four babies, and thirteen OFS staff members were in attendance. Everyone enjoyed a catered lunch at the red panda picnic site.
One 12-year-old boy attended the event with his foster care case manager, Carolyn. It was his very first visit to the zoo. Carolyn shared:
“As we were pulling up, he had the biggest smile on his face and was excited just to be in the parking lot. He was more than happy to help us set up for the event. When it was time to walk around, he wanted to see everything — especially the reptiles. After over five hours, he didn’t want to leave, even though his feet were hurting. He asked to sit for a while, then wanted to explore even more. As a memento of the trip, he kept feathers he found on the ground. He told me that the zoo event helped make this the best summer ever. He talked about it for weeks afterward, and two months later, he still brings up some of the things we saw.”
Honoring the Heart of Foster Care
Every foster family we work with is unique — but they all share one thing in common: the desire to make a positive impact on a child’s life.
Whether you're a long-time foster parent or just starting out, your compassion creates real change. Events like these remind us how strong, resilient, and full of love our foster families are.
Interested in Becoming a Foster Parent?
If you’ve ever considered fostering, there’s no better time to learn more. Oakland Family Services provides training, support, and resources every step of the way. You don’t have to be perfect — you just have to care.
Contact us to learn more.