“What doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger…except bears,” Linda laughingly exclaimed. Linda Rasmussen has been a Clinical Social Worker at A Greater Hope (AGH) for over nine years. In recognition of her extraordinary work to serve foster children and families, the AGH Leadership Team and Board of Directors are proud to award her with the Champion for Children: Making the Difference Award.
Linda has always had a love of school. She has two Masters degrees, in addition to her Bachelor’s and Associate’s degrees. Her areas of expertise are Sociology and Social Service Administration. Linda shared that when she was nearing graduation, her mind began to race about what was next in store for her. “I remember I met my first foster child while in school. I was friends with her foster parents and I was her teacher at church, in Chicago. Getting to know her experiences led me to want to work in this field,” Linda explained.
This child’s experiences was the catalyst that led Linda to begin her career at A Greater Hope. Barbara Basham, Program Manager - Foster Care, expressed a deep gratitude for Linda, stating, “We consider ourselves incredibly lucky to have Linda on our team. Her dedication to her clients is unwavering. She consistently goes above and beyond to ensure their well-being. But Linda's impact extends far beyond her casework. She's a true team player, always willing to lend a supportive hand to the team and share her expertise.”
In her tenure at A Greater Hope, Linda has impacted hundreds of children and their families. Linda shared that she is, “quiet and introverted, but social.” She has supported and advocated for children of all ages, who she was assigned to, and many who she helped vicariously by supporting fellow team members. “There have been many good stories to recall. I remember when a specific child was reunified. The biological mother was doing so good and the resource (foster) parent was being very helpful to her. The biological mother stopped using drugs and became employed. She did it! I remember how much she interacted with her child during the supervised visitations she had. It was a definite success,” Linda said.
At the beginning of 2024, Linda was honored at an AGH all team kickoff event, where she received her recognition and award in the company of AGH team members from every office. “Linda champions opportunities for education, stability, and above all, hope. She celebrates victories, big and small, reminding every child on her caseload that they are worthy of love and a brighter future. Linda is a testament to the enduring power of dedication, and a beacon of light for the most vulnerable members of our community,” explained Erin Wikert, Program Director - Foster Care and Adoption.
The accolade was presented to honor Linda’s drive and dedication to serving families, which is apparent to clients and colleagues alike. “I was surprised! I wasn’t expecting to receive this award,” she bashfully admitted.
There is one child, in particular, that Linda has made some of the greatest impact on - her foster son. Now almost 14 years old, Linda first met her son when he was 5 years old. “He was just a little guy,” she reminisced. This child had a rocky start moving between group homes and foster homes, and back again. His pattern of moving from home to home was a standout reason why Linda became personally involved. She explained, “Reunification wasn’t happening. I saw that this child had a lot going on and I became a foster parent specifically for him.”
Now that it has been almost four years parenting her son, Linda expressed, “I have a deeper understanding of the resource/foster parent perspective, I get it. We have seen the adoption be delayed and dealt with all the paperwork. I have been trying to navigate all of that.” Linda works hard to maintain her child’s relationships with his siblings. Though there have been some challenges, she said that he gets to see his siblings once a month. “I make sure he sees them. For Easter, I took him and his brother to my parent’s house to have a good meal and open Easter baskets. It was such a nice time,” she shared.
Last month, Linda and her son also got to experience a trip together to Italy. A smile stretched across her face as she shared photos of them both in front of the beautiful, historic buildings. Currently, Linda and her son are anticipating a foster-to-adoption finalization date, which she explained she is eagerly awaiting. Once the adoption is completed, they plan to take many more trips together.
Prior to receiving her award, the AGH Executive Management Team discussed Linda’s many years of teamwork. For almost a decade, her commitment and compassionate nature have shone through her work. Linda willingly devotes weekdays, weekends, and evenings to her work.
Throughout her time at A Greater Hope, Linda has organized enriching field trips for the youth under her care, including tours of prestigious institutions like the University of California, Los Angeles, and memorable outings to places like LegoLand California, Disneyland, SkyPark at Santa’s Village, and Knott’s Berry Farm. These outings, funded entirely from her own resources and personal time, are a testament to her sincere desire to make each foster youth's experience meaningful and special. “Her selflessness extends beyond outings; Linda is renowned for her dedication to fulfilling the wishes of foster youth through One Simple Wish, a testament to her caring and empathetic nature,” commented Helena Lopez, A Greater Hope Chief Executive Officer.
Linda's supervisor aptly describes her as "inspirational," a sentiment echoed by all who have the privilege of working with her. Her positive attitude and infectious good nature creates an uplifting atmosphere at AGH. Linda's outstanding reputation for service is well-deserved and reflects her tireless efforts. In conclusion, Lopez confidently declared, “At AGH, Linda is celebrated as a true Champion for Children. Her commitment to placing people at the forefront of her work ensures that our clients receive the support and services they need, when and where they need them. Thank you, Linda, for your dedication and for being a beacon of hope for our children.”
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