Nazareth Home volunteer becomes adoptive parent
January 9th, 2012
Deb Trelo was inspired to adopt a child after she began as a volunteer "cuddler" at Nazareth Home.
She first learned about the East Chicago foster home from Karren Lee, a Nazareth Home advisory committee member who described the nurturing, home-like atmosphere that is provided for infants and toddlers.
Round-the-clock care is given to medically at-risk infants and toddlers who may have been abandoned or can no longer remain with their biological families because of issues such as addiction or inadequate home care.
Founded and licensed in 1993, Nazareth Home has ministered to scores of foster children regardless of race, color or creed, and is a ministry of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, a congregation of religious women whose American Province Mother House is in Donaldson, Ind.
Trelo said former Director/Foster Mother Sister Barbara Kuper exemplified love and service, and became a mentor and friend.
"Through the years, I continued to be inspired by the four core values of the Poor Handmaids: openness to the spirit, community, simplicity and dignity and respect for all," Trelo said.
"When one of the children needed a forever home, I requested that child through Sister Barbara. 'Be it God's will,' I said. 'We would like to dedicate our lives to raising this child.' "
With bachelor's and master's degrees in religious studies and religious education, respectively, Trelo is a former Catholic school teacher. Later, at Nazareth Home, she discovered she was able to be part of the spiritual, physical, emotional and educational care of the children.
She also served as the administrative and volunteer coordinator, holding orientations for others who are called to care for at-risk children. She now serves as administrative assistant at Ancilla Systems Inc. in Hobart, the services and support ministry of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ.
"I'm grateful to Sister Barbara for her many dedicated years, and also pleased that Jean Bowman is carrying on Nazareth Home's fine tradition in her foster mother leadership role," Trelo said.
"I will never forget the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ; Lynn Staniszeski and Cynthia Cyprian, of the Court Appointed Special Advocates for children; and Elaine Spicer, of The Villages, our home study agency; and all those members of the community connected with Nazareth Home who assisted with our forever family," Trelo said.
To learn more about Nazareth Home or becoming a volunteer, call Bowman at (219) 616-8845 or visit www.nazarethhome.com.
This article was originally published in The Northwest Indiana Times.
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East Chicago, IN 46312-8067