Families, human service organizations—including Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI), government officials, and other advocates recently celebrated the ultimate goal of foster care—safely reunifying children with their families. Held in Marion, this was the first reunification event of its kind in Illinois to honor these families.
About 150 people attended the event organized by First Circuit Judge Amanda Byassee Gott including 10 reunified families from Saline and Williamson Counties, extended family members, local foster care organizations, and Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) representatives. “So many families in my courtroom are lacking family and community support to help them in times of need,” Gott said. “If you can provide the families those supports, along with education and services, then you increase the likelihood of successful family reunification.”
The celebration, held at a local baseball park, featured remarks from a father who was reunified with his daughters last year and whose family threw out the first pitch at the game. Illinois DCFS Director Heidi Mueller highlighted the importance of resources such as housing assistance, food, and substance use treatment in helping families achieve lasting reunification. Certificates and gifts were given to the families.
Whitney Koontz, an LSSI Permanency Achievement Specialist in Marion, who serves families that are adopting children helped organize the event. She said the gathering reinforced the theme of “Stronger Together.” “Sometimes we forget the families that did the hard work and actually reunified,” Koontz said. “The event not only celebrated these families but also served as a public acknowledgment of the support that made reunification possible.”
Gott hopes to make Family Reunification Day an annual event and encouraged other communities to recognize the resilience, healing, and perseverance of families that have successfully reunified.
Photo caption: Judge Amanda Byassee Gott, far left; LSSI Permanency Achievement Specialist Whitney Koontz, far right, and other committee members celebrate the successful reunification of families.
