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Lutheran Services Carolinas wants to know the needs of the commu-
nity in order to help fulfill them. Jean enjoys this aspect of her job,
as she gets to become a part of the solution. “There are not many
agencies where your opinion is heard and valued. Recently, I was in
a meeting with our Chief Operating Officer, Myra Griffie, going over
some new programs for this coming fiscal year. When Myra reached the
Aftercare Program (Independent Living Skills for youth who are aging
out), she looked at me and said, ‘Jean, this is your passion. Go for it!’
So, now I am tasked with figuring out how this program can be most
effective.”
In addition to her work with LSC, Jean is an adjunct instructor
at Coker College in the Social Work program. She has also run an
Independent Living Skills group in collaboration with Coker and the
DSS state office, allowing foster youth to experience college campus
life and social work interns to assist with groups. No matter what she
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may do next, Jean is blessed to be in the company of so many wonderful young people. Each child has changed her life. “They have made
me grateful for what I have and for my loving family. I lost my parents
when I was still relatively young. But, every day I work with youth who
are much younger and without a family. I realize I was blessed to have
what I have. I know I have found my calling. Many people go their whole
lives without knowing what they are supposed to do. I am thankful that
“
I feel that my calling is where I am, letting
others know about the children we serve.
“
God put me in the position to find my bliss.”
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November is National Adoption Month. If you are thinking of
adding to your family or would like to help in some way, Jean
encourages you to visit Lutheran Services Carolinas. “Every child
deserves a permanent home. If that can’t happen with their biological family, then I want them to have a good adoptive family. Families
need to know that there are children who want and need permanent
homes. You don’t have to be affluent to adopt, and there are children
waiting every day for their forever home. It is important that we give
foster kids a chance to experience life belonging in a family. No family
is perfect. No child is perfect. Fostering-to-adopt is a good way to start,
because you learn so much more about the youth prior to adoption
when you have had them in your home.” Many of those Jean has placed
have stayed in touch with her, some even treating her as family. “I’ve
been asked to be a godmother to some of their children! It is so great
to see them doing well as adults and to know that they beat the odds,
they survived a life of trauma. I hope they feel we have served them
well. There’s a quote that says, ‘One hundred years from now, it won’t
matter what you own, what you drive or where you live, but th at you
made a difference in the life of a child.’ I hope that is what they can say
about me when I’m gone.”
Jean Keefe resides in Florence, South Carolina. She is the Regional Team Manager
of the Pee Dee Team for Lutheran Services Carolinas. For further information,
please call Jean at (843) 601-1243 or check out their webpage at
http://www.lscarolinas.net/services-for-children-youth-families/foster-care/.
SHEMAGAZINE.COM
NOVEMBER 2015
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