Two Generations of Care Providers
By Jim Hall, Branch Director, Waynesboro

Bill & Penny Chisholm became foster parents for DePaul Family Services in October of 1997. Becky Chisholm, their daughter, was 16 and a junior at Randolph Henry High School. Now Becky is married and becoming a care provider in our MR Wavier program.

The Chisholms have been an important part of DePaul and DePaul has been very much a part of their lives. Initially, the Chisholms provided respite care for foster children. In January 1998, DePaul made a long-term foster placement with the Chisholms - a 5 year old. The youngster became a permanent part of the family when he was adopted by the Chisholms. In August of 1999, the Chisholms began to provide care for an adult with mental retardation. She was joined in 2000 by a second individual and then a third in 2002.

Penny was our go-to person for First Aid, CPR, and Medication training for several years. She also provided specialized trainings to other care providers. Penny has a very giving spirit and always came through when asked. She has shown the highest level of care and concern for all those who have been fortunate enough to live under her roof.

In June of 2006, Penny decided that she needed more time dedicated to her family and gave us notice that she would no longer be able to be a care provider for DePaul. She will be missed. With that announcement, Becky said that she wanted to become a care provider for one of the clients who had lived with her mother. Hence, a second generation of care providers was created. Becky was described in the family's original home study done in 1997 as "determined, having a heart of gold, neat and a hard worker;" she sounds a lot like her mother.

The whole staff at Waynesboro welcomes Becky and has the warmest feelings for Penny. Her care and love will be missed by this office and by the individuals for whom she provided care. We wish her the best.