Boys Town Washington

Thomas and Barbara Warrick

Couple Honored for Their Spirit of Family

Thomas and Barbara Warrick are living examples of Father Flanagan's dream. Their deep affection and personal sacrifice for the families they serve at Boys Town Washington, D.C., is a shining example of the ageless vision of help, healing and hope.

Boys Town honored the couple for their highly commendable work with children and families in the Treatment Foster Family Services Program, with the prestigious Spirit of Family award Nov. 18, during a dinner highlighting the "Family Responsibility" component of the foster care program in Washington, D.C., as a part of National Family Week

"The Warricks are a very loving and strong couple who make everyone that walks into their home feel like family," said Lyn Corbett, Boys Town Washington, D.C., Executive Director. "They are truly great people."

Over the four years the Warricks have served families at Boys Town, they have worked with many children and families of the District, teaching social skills and working toward treatment goals and permanent, positive family habits.

The Warricks' commitment to families is characterized by enthusiastic service. "When I first started working with the Warricks, I met Mrs. Warrick on the front lawn of her home, she gave me a big hug and said, 'Welcome to the family!'" said Manairya Banks, the Warrick's Boys Town Consultant. "That is how the Warricks are. Whomever they work with becomes part of the family."

"I just love dealing with people and with children," said Barbara Warrick, who has been involved with foster care programs for 40 years. "The awards ceremony was very, very beautiful and an enormous surprise. I just wanted to bring the kids to the dinner to see the people who work so hard so that we can take care of them. I didn't expect this at all."

During the award presentation many complimented the Warricks' serious dedication and commitment to their work. Several children and biological parents spoke of the ways that Boys Town, and the Warricks in particular, helped their families.

The stories of those touched by their love and support brought the crowd and the Warricks to tears. "Our eyes were certainly watery the whole time, especially Thomas'," said Barbara.

"I was ready to give up," said one parent. "I was ready to tell my kids forget it, they can't come home because it was too hard. But you all stood by me."

The Warricks often go beyond visitation requirements to provide support for the family during home visits. They help teach the children how to strengthen the family during difficult circumstances and they help meet every kind of need the family has."It's nothing for Mrs. Warrick to pick up the phone and call the child's biological mother to say, 'I'm going to a school meeting for your daughter, I'll pick you up on the way,'" said Banks. "They invest in the children and the families. They have even given furniture out of their own home to the families they work with."

The Warricks were also selected to represent the Treatment Foster Family Services Program when the Council on Accreditation (COA) visited Boys Town Washington, D.C., last year. They were chosen because of their outstanding success at cultivating a treatment home that provides a strong family environment and effective treatment.

The dedication to families shown by the Warricks is what brings about the success of the Boys Town mission to change the way America cares for her Children and Families.