Houston, TX – Amy Bezecny, MDiv, Hope and Healing Institute Fellow in Adoptive and Foster Care Parenting received a $200,000 grant from the Houston Endowment for the initiation and implementation of a new and innovative adoption/foster care program over the next two years.

“Amy has developed a truly unique and comprehensive approach to adoption/foster care education and parental support,” said Matthew S. Stanford, PhD, CEO, Hope and Healing Center & Institute. “While highly innovative, Amy’s approach to engaging faith communities to become more involved in adoption/foster care can be easily replicated and has the potential to have an impact on children and families far beyond the Houston area.”

 As a Fellow in Adoptive and Foster Care Parenting at the Hope and Healing Institute, Rev. Bezecny focuses on program development to encourage and enable churches to play a more effective role in helping families successfully adopt and raise children.  She has developed training targeting faith communities, including tools for recruiting, training, coaching, and consulting church staff and volunteers as they take lead roles in facilitating adoption programs and events. 

“There are 1,400 children in the greater Houston area waiting for a forever family. There are also over 4,000 faith-based congregations in the same area. A very small percentage of congregations are actively involved in supporting foster care and adoption families and their success indicates that we simply need more congregation involvement. I’ve taken each barrier and broken it down. “What has worked? What has not worked? And Why?” have been guiding questions during planning and development. What seems insurmountable is not. I thank Houston Endowment for believing in this program. With their support, we can do this!” said Amy Bezecny, MDiv, Fellow in Adoptive and Foster Care Parenting, Hope and Healing Center & Institute.

ABOUT REV. AMY BEZECNY, MDiv, FELLOW, HOPE AND HEALING INSTITUTE

Reverend Amy Bezecny received a Master of Divinity, cum laude, in 2009 from Southern Methodist University, Perkins School of Theology. She became an ordained Deacon in the United Methodist Church in June of 2012.  Amy was on staff at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church for 10 years, where she was instrumental in developing their adoption ministry. Prior to working in ministry, Amy had a successful 15-year career in interior design.

ABOUT THE HOPE AND HEALING INSTITUTE – HHI

The Hope and Healing Institute is a collaboration of scholars involved in transformative research; bridging the gap between the mental health and faith communities.

At the Institute, scholars and research fellows are involved in the development of resources, programs and supportive services that strengthen the physical, mental, spiritual and relational health of families and individuals from birth through elder-hood. Work in the Institute is focused around four research initiatives:  Child and Adolescent Wellbeing; Building Healthy Families and Relationships; Successful Aging & Later Life; Promoting Mental Health and Recovery.

MEDIA CONTACT

Julia Abbott-Koivumaa: 713.985.3832