Willy and Charles Neal receive accolades

Willy and Charles Neal were honoured for their many years of dedicated service to aboriginal children in care at the Annual General Meeting of the Federation of Aboriginal Foster Parents held in Abbotsford and hosted by the Sumas Indian Band, in October during Foster Parents Month.

The couple have been fostering from their renovated school in Hixon, B.C. since 1994, however, Willy’s first foster child was placed in her care more than 39 years ago.

As an aboriginal resource, the majority of the children and youth placed in the Neal home have, and continue to be, First Nations young people.

Never a quiet or dull household, Willy and Charles provide a safe and nurturing environment for young people ranging in age from four – 22, with an equally diverse scope of family situations, special needs and challenging behaviours.

Willy and Charles have also been involved with B.C. Federation of Foster Parent Associations for many years.

In fact, throughout the past 12 years, Willy has served as a regional rep, regional president and director on the provincial board and together with another member, established a regional office in Quesnel.

In addition to being devoted and active foster parents, Willy and Charles are also known as mom and dad to many alumni of care who never actually lived with them.

For more than 10 years, the Neals have been dedicated supporters of the Federation of BC Youth in Care Networks.

Willy was born in Holland and emigrated with her family to Canada in 1956 when she was a young girl. By the age of 14, she was unable to live at home and unofficially adopted by a Haida woman named Effie. She lived for many years with Effie and her daughter in Prince Rupert.

A survivor of breast cancer, a collector of many cultural things and a fabulous cook, Willy has two grown children and two beautiful granddaughters.

Charles came to British Columbia as a musician from New York, where he was born and raised by parents of African/American and Shinnecock First Nations decent.

He currently provides an important service driving a Northern Health bus between various communities in the North and medical centres in the Lower Mainland. Prior to this, Charles drove a big yellow school bus for School District 28.

When he is not fixing what’s broken or renovating the school house they call home, Charles is an avid motorcycle enthusiast who has in recent years, also come to enjoy golfing.

Willy is not only a proud den-mother protecting the young people that come to live in her home, but also a fierce advocate for all children and youth in care and their caregivers.

She is able to do this because of the unwavering love and support she gets from Charles.

Together they are an example of how to do things right.

They are positive role models and mentors and

an inspiration to many.