Today marks a significant milestone for one of our fellow teammates. Barb Buckavekas, a secretary who supports our agency’s foster care team in the northern region, is retiring after serving 35.5 years at Children’s Home & Aid.
Barb’s passion for the agency’s mission and longstanding commitment to our families, staff, and partners through her work deserves the highest recognition. She is a beloved staff member who has always challenged our team to become the best at what we do. It is rare today for a person to dedicate themselves so thoroughly to one organization for so many years. Barb has been an inspiration to many and her investment of time and energy here will leave a rich legacy behind.
Lori Poppen, Northern Region Clinical Director, recently shared how much of an impact this trusted teammate has had here. “Barb is one of the most kind, happy, funny, resilient people I know. She exemplifies what our agency is all about.”
Karen Zander, another secretary in the northern region, has countless memories of working alongside Barb over the years and considers her to be more than just a co-worker. “Barb is the strongest person I know. I am in awe of her faith, perseverance, kindness and humor. She has gone through what many of us couldn’t with grace. She is there to listen and to comfort when things get hard,” Karen reflects. “I will miss my friend but wish her adventure and peace and relaxation. I will miss her stories of her youth and of her friends, which she still has from high school! I am lucky to have Barb as my friend and will cherish the relationship we have the rest of my life.”
It is truly incredible to see how one person can make such a big difference in the lives of others. Everyone at Children’s Home & Aid is deeply grateful for all that Barb has done for children and families as a part of our team. Her presence will be missed, but not soon forgotten.
As Barb prepares to close one chapter and begin a new adventure, we thank her for making us stronger as a team and as an organizational family. We wish her congratulations on a much-deserved retirement and wish her the best of health, laughter, and joy as her new journey begins.