In recognition of National Reunification Month, staff in Lubbock and Amarillo hosted celebration ceremonies to recognize every family across Region 1 that was successfully reunified over the past year, from July to June.
Over the past 12 months, more than 100 families across Region 1 were reunified with their children. Staff mailed each family a congratulatory card thanking them for the courage, commitment, and determination they showed in creating a safe, stable, and loving home for their kids. Families who lived near Lubbock or Amarillo also received gift cards to local spots like Chick-fil-A and Blazing Bouncers, giving them a way to create new memories together.
While all families were recognized, the in-person ceremonies brought together a smaller group to celebrate face-to-face: three families in Amarillo and five in Lubbock attended, and their caseworkers personally recognized them.
About 50 SFM employees attended each ceremony to celebrate alongside the families. The events opened with remarks from the Executive Directors of Permanency for the North and South regions, Micah Smith and Melanie Mackenzie, who spoke about the significance of National Reunification Month and the many people who contribute to successful reunification.
Families in attendance received a gift basket filled with a blanket featuring encouraging quotes, a family board game, and gift cards to local restaurants and family-friendly spots. Kids could decorate their own picture frames at the craft table while a photographer took family portraits to fill them. Each family also added a bird bearing their child’s name to the permanency wall in the SFM offices, a lasting mark of their journey.
The ceremonies also made space to recognize the people behind the successes. Staff members received awards for exceptional service to families through reunification, and several community partner organizations and child-placing agencies were honored for their role in the process. Staff also recognized a few foster families for the instrumental part they played in helping the families they fostered to reunify.
The celebrations wrapped up with refreshments, photos, and interviews with local news outlets.
Special recognition was given to staff members with the highest number of reunifications over the past year:
Amarillo:
- Heidi Elliott – reunified 3 families and 6 children
- Cassie Caprock – reunified 6 families and 7 children
- Shae Cairns – reunified 4 families and 5 children
Lubbock:
- Eunie Young – reunified 4 families and 12 children
- Margaret Allen – reunified 7 families and 12 children
- Veronica Ramirez – reunified 9 families and 15 children
“Our Family Reunification Event celebration is more than just an event,” said Community Engagement Liaison Renee Morales. “It’s a reminder that healing is possible, that families can overcome tremendous challenges, and that children belong with their families whenever it is safe to do so. For the families we serve, reunification is the result of months, sometimes years, of hard work, and their children have shown remarkable resilience throughout the process. This celebration honors those accomplishments and reminds families that their community believes in them and is cheering them on as they begin this new chapter together.”
Renee added that, for staff, the day is a powerful reminder of why this work matters. Every SFM employee knows that child welfare can be emotionally demanding, with much of the job spent helping families through some of the hardest moments of their lives. Celebrations like these provide a chance to celebrate hope rather than hardship and to witness the joy that comes from perseverance, healing, and successful outcomes.
“It also helps educate the community about the true goal of child welfare,” said Renee. “While foster care is necessary to keep children safe, the ultimate aim is to help families heal so children can safely return home.”
