OUR
Goals
At Geary Foster Foundations,
we believe that each child:
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is a unique individual with potential for growth;
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has the right to a safe, respectful, and supportive environment;
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has strengths, value, and worth;
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should be treated with integrity, compassion, and non-judgment.
OUR
Beliefs
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Provide a home for children who have been displaced for various reasons.
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Provide a safe environment that offers support in healthy lifestyles, education, and permanency.
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Provide an environment that encourages independence and offers guidance and assistance as each child transitions into adulthood.
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Provide caring foster parents, mentors, and collaborative agencies that will inspire and encourage all residents.
Message From The President
Susie Black Holamon, President
Welcome to GEARY FOSTER FOUNDATIONS, a “foster home community” in North Texas.
We are building homes to build lives because we believe every child deserves a safe home!
I am Susie Black Holamon, President and Founder of Geary Foster Foundations. I was in foster care in Dallas from the age of 12 to 17 years old. The community is a tribute and a legacy to Joe and Charlotte Geary, who were instrumental in me and my siblings receiving good foster care. The success I have achieved in my life can be attributed to their care and support.
Since retiring from teaching, I have immersed myself in trying to make a difference in foster care. When I was a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for a teenage girl in foster care, I saw first hand the lack of foster parents and foster homes in Texas. In May of 2017, I reached out to my former foster sister, Colleen Geary Patton, and together we made a commitment to make a difference; “ONE CHILD AT A TIME”, “ONE HOME AT A TIME”. In five years we have completed Homes #1 and #2, and Home #3 is under construction.
Because of my life experiences, I recognize the need for change in the foster care system and I am on a mission to “PAY IT FORWARD” to a new generation of displaced children. Geary Foster Foundations is building a “blueprint” for a “foster home community” that will serve as a foundation for foster homes in the future. We have researched three successful “foster home communities” in Oklahoma, and we are inspired to recreate and implement their innovative model in Texas.
We are building a “foster home community” because EVERY CHILD DESERVES A SAFE HOME! Each home will be an independent foster home, with licensed foster parents, and will be equipped to care for up six children at any given time. These homes, in one centralized location, enables Geary Foster Foundations and the surrounding communities to provide mentors, volunteers, therapeutic and educational programs necessary for the children to heal from the trauma, neglect and abuse they have experienced. This community of support and programs will give parents the opportunity to focus on building healthy relationships while guiding each child to a successful future. Statistics show, failure among foster parents is directly related to the isolation they feel and the lack of support received that is necessary to effectively meet the needs of each child. Geary Foster Foundations will provide a community of support that will empower parents and children to reach their full potential.
Meet Our Parents
First Home, First Family
Meet the Wallaces
We are the Wallaces; Jerryd, Katie, Will, and McKenna. We are originally from the Lewisville and Carrollton areas of TX. We entered as parents in foster care to provide a home for kids and teens to live that need one. Foster care has been a part of our life plan since we were first married in 2002. To date, we have cared for 13 children ages 3 to 17.
Our goal and mindset are to help each child that comes our way to gain independence where needed, hope, and an understanding of how to build positive relationships. There have been many challenges, but we have truly found the work rewarding and hope to continue it for many more years at Geary Foster Foundations.
We could not be happier with our time here and all the help that Geary Foster Foundations has given us. As our two children turn eighteen this year and next, we are committed to the mission here and fostering as many children as possible.
I am a licensed counselor with Texoma Community Center in Sherman, TX, and I love SMU football and playing golf. Katie loves teaching kids and gardening. Will plays volleyball and is starting up his own business as a senior in high school. McKenna works at Starbucks and is saving for college, which she hopes will be funded through her current job.
The Wallaces are licensed through Arrow Child & Family Ministries.
Second Home, Second Family
Meet Kory and Tamra
Kory and Tamra met while attending college at Tarleton State University and have been married for 16 years. Kory graduated from Tarleton State University in 2001 with an Industrial Technology degree and has worked in the construction industry for the last 20 years. Tamra received her undergraduate degree (1999) and master’s degree (2001) from Tarleton State University in Agriculture Education. She completed her Ed.D. Degree from Texas Tech University and Texas A&M University in 2014. Tamra has served as an Extension Agent for Texas A&M AgriLife over the last 20 years. She has been coordinating 4-H Youth Development programs for youth in Grayson County since 2016.
In 2019, Kory and Tamra committed to ministering to children by opening their home to youth in need as a foster to adopt home. In September 2020, the McGaughy household adopted two of their foster angels when the path of reunification was no longer an option. During this time, the family experienced the highs and lows of foster care. They knew these two precious children were saying goodbye to their biological family but opening a new door to a new life.
Since beginning the foster care journey, Kory and Tamra have dedicated themselves to assisting sibling groups who may be separated in the foster care system. “We want to provide children the opportunity to be with family during times of uncertainty, so they can strengthen their bonds and love and comfort each other. As a foster home, we want to be able to keep kids close to their families to encourage the reunification process. We desire to be part of the solution in giving children a safe environment to prosper and grow while their parents take the necessary steps in reunification. Geary Foster Foundations is truly a blessing to our community because the home and community they provide for families allow us to continue the mission of keeping families together. We are humbled to be the keepers of Home #2.”
The McGaughys are licensed through CK Family Services.
“A Tribute to Joe and Charlotte Geary”
Geary Foster Foundations evolved from the charitable spirit that Joe and Charlotte Geary demonstrated throughout their lives. Joe and Charlotte were insightful and sensitive to the needs of others and humble and gracious in their service. Fifty plus years ago, together with the East Dallas Exchange Club, Joe and Charlotte established a faith-based foster home that offered stability, permanency, encouragement and guidance to three teenagers in their neighborhood. Today, Geary Foster Foundations is built on those same principals.
Colleen Geary Patton (daughter of Joe and Charlotte Geary) and Susie Black Holamon (foster child who lived with the Geary’s) have joined together to build HOMES for children who have been displaced. Together, they believe that what their foster home community will provide for young children experiencing homelessness is vital to their transition to independence. Their vision and passion is to offer a home where young children have the opportunity to grow and develop spiritually, emotionally and physically in order to realize their full potential. Both Colleen and Susie feel blessed that the example Joe and Charlotte set forth consistently through their lives has inspired them to carry on their legacy through Geary Foster Foundations.
GEORGE and MAGGIE AUNE
Thank you for believing in the mission of Geary Foster Foundations
George and Maggie Aune, your generous donation of the land on which this community is to be built, provides a strong foundation for foster parents and displaced children to become a loving family because every child deserves a safe home.
Meet The Board
Susie Holamon, President
Carol Warren, Director
Colleen Geary Patton, Vice President
Cynthia Prange, Director
Gwendolyn Spence, Secretary
Jill Lyons,
Director
Lezlie MacElroy, Treasurer
Jessica Cain,
Director
Advisory Board
Dawnita Williams,
Director
Wilma Bush,
Advisory Board
CONTACT US
P.O. Box 49, Collinsville, Texas 76233
email: info@gearyfosterfoundations.com
phone: 325-338-9742