PITTSBURGH, PA – July 9, 2025 – Cayuga Centers proudly joined the Allegheny County Department of Human Services, Office of Children, Youth, and Families at their annual Resource Parent Appreciation Luncheon—a heartfelt celebration recognizing the dedication and compassion of local foster families. The event was held at The Pittsburgh Project on May 15, 2025.
Funded by Allegheny County, the luncheon brought together twelve foster care agencies— Cayuga Centers, Adoption Connection PA, A Second Chance, Inc., Every Child, Inc., Pressley Ridge, TRAC Services for Families, Three Rivers Youth, Auberle, Greater Valley Community Services, UPMC Western Behavioral Health at Mon Yough, Wesley Family Services, and Bair Foundation — to honor 22 extraordinary foster families for their service to children and teens in care.
Cayuga Centers was especially proud to have two of its foster families recognized during the ceremony for their outstanding commitment to children in foster care. These families included Diane Dandridge and Robert and Amy Walker.
The celebration was hosted by Maria DeBone, Associate Producer of Pittsburgh Today Live, and honored Mikey Hood, a beloved TV personality known for her advocacy work and dedication to highlighting waiting children through televised segments. One such segment notably featured a Cayuga Centers youth who was later matched with a permanent home. Hood was honored during the event for her ongoing contributions to the foster care community.
In addition to inspiring remarks from local leaders and agency representatives, the luncheon included a spirited table decoration contest, adding a fun and festive touch to the event. Attendees also heard directly from youth through powerful presentations by the Speakers Bureau and performances by We Rock Workshop and Academy, a music group made up of youth with lived experience in the foster care system.
“The Foster Parent Appreciation luncheon brought together all of the foster care agencies in Allegheny County with a unified purpose to celebrate and appreciate the work that our foster parents collectively do to contribute to providing safe homes for children and youth in need of out of home care.” said L’Tesha Gamble Pettis, Manager of Foster Home Recruitment & Licensing at Cayuga Centers of Allegheny County. “This luncheon was generously funded by Allegheny County DHS – OCYF and highlighted OCYF’s role in intervening to protect children at risk of abuse and neglect by partnering with the network of foster care providers.”
For more information about becoming a foster parent or supporting children and families in your community, visit cayugacenters.org/pittsburgh
About Cayuga Centers
Cayuga Centers is a nationally accredited and awarded 501(c)(3) non-profit, human services agency headquartered in Auburn, NY. Founded in 1852, the agency has delivered quality services by following the agency’s core mission of helping individuals and families grow as independent, healthy, and productive citizens through quality counseling, out-of-home care, and support services. Cayuga Centers provides a continuum of support services nationally, with offices in over 22 cities. The agency specializes in providing individualized, culturally appropriate, and trauma-informed support to diverse populations. Cayuga Centers currently serves 17,000 individuals and families annually. Visit www.cayugacenters.org to learn about its services, how to become a foster parent, and employment opportunities.
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