Pathways Family Awarded with Angel in Adoption Award

Pathways’ foster and adoptive parents Eric and Holli Kounce were chosen by Congressman K. Michael Conaway  to receive the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Intitute’s Angel in Adoption Award. The award will be presented to them at a reception and gala on Wednesday September 30, 2009, at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, D.C.

The Kounces have been foster parents since 1999.  In 2003 they joined Pathways Youth & Family Services as a therapeutic foster home.  They have had over 20 foster children from all walks of life stay in their home anywhere from just a few days to long-term placements of over three years.  A few of them never left!  During their time in foster care, they have adopted five of their foster children, Jessica, Alieha, Samuel, Caleb, and their most recent addition Jacquelyn, was adopted on 9-9-09 at 9am!

Eric grew up with a family who opened their home to foster children.  Eric’s parents, Jack and Jeri Kounce, have been foster parents for 24 years, and he had a large family with a lot of foster brothers and sisters while growing up.

Holli always  wanted a large family.  However, being a 14-year cancer survivor, she knew having children would come in unique and unconventional ways.  Perfectly matched together, Eric and Holli set out on their own journey, through his parent’s example,  to become foster and adoptive parents.

Eric & Holli’s heart and mission in foster care has always been to do their best to give neglected and abused children hope for a normal life through empathy, encouragement and open arms. Their goal as foster and adoptive parents is to be a bridge between the past and present and then on into a bright future.  They believe all children have the capability to live their lives as happy, well-adjusted individuals who can contribute positively to their community.  Having an open heart, open mind, and an open door is how Holli and Eric show children in West Texas that someone cares and believes in them.

Please join all of us at Pathways in congratulating the Kounces for this well-deserved recognition.