Foster, adoptive mothers honored at annual event

By Mytae Carrasco

Saturday, May 9, 2009 | 7:48 p.m.

Colorful dresses, big bright hats and little girls getting mini-makeovers were the marks of the sixth annual Child Focus tea party at the J.W. Marriott Saturday afternoon.

Child Focus is a nonprofit organization that assists with the state’s foster care system and has five programs that help to meet the needs of Southern Nevada’s youth. The programs include academic success, birthday wishes, community awareness, sibling preservation and step-up programs.

This year the annual event added the “My Special Mom” contest sponsored by Cox Communications. Adopted and foster children submitted essays describing the way their adoptive or foster mothers have changed their lives. The five winning moms won computer systems, bracelets from M.J. Christensen and memberships to the YMCA.

“This year marks a milestone for us. It’s our 10th year as a 501-C3 (type of nonprofit program). We have five incredible programs, we have helped over 3,000 youth. We’ve helped children connect with their brothers and sisters, graduate high school and live independently,” said founder Dr. Stephanie Holland.

“It’s very gratifying for me to know that there are so many people who share the passion and understand that we all have a responsibility to these children.”

The five winning moms said the win was unexpected.

“It just came as a complete surprise to me. I’m astonished and amazed because for myself, being a mom is being a mom -- it’s no extra activities, no extra things that you do to become a mom, you do what you’re supposed to do as a mother,” said Lelisa Watkins, honoree of the “My Special Mom” contest.

James was 12 years old when the Watkins fostered him, 13 when he was adopted and now at 18 years old he is thankful to be able to give back to his mom.

“I love my mom to death because she has brought me to where I am now,” he said.

Another winning mom, Mary Macioce said she thought it was a sales pitch when she received a call from Cox Communications saying that she had won the contest.

“She cares a lot about me and it’s great that she reconnected me with my brother,” said Michael Macioce on entering his mom into the contest.

“He has brought a lot into our lives, all my kids, the homegrown and the adopted ones. He is just a great kid. I have been blessed with three wonderful children,” Mary Macioce said.

Identical twins Brandon and Demetrie Barnett co-wrote the essay about their mom, Julieann Asqin.

“We decided to nominate our mom because we both feel that she really deserved it because both of us have been through so much and coming from where we came from, and the past and being where we are today, I feel like we owe it to her,” Brandon said. “We came from nothing to something and we really appreciate that.”

All proceeds from the event went to Child Focus.