Kate Baldi

Angels in Adoption 2005 - Missouri

Selected by Senator Christopher Bond

Ms. Kate Baldi is a leading advocate in the Springfield community for foster children. Prior to her work with Families for Children, she served as a social worker for the Missouri Department of Social Services for 25 years. During her time as supervisor for the Greene County Division of Family Services, what she enjoyed most and continues to enjoy today is working directly with children and families. In her 6 years with Families for Children, she has dedicated her life to meeting the needs of abused and neglected children through recruitment, retention, and support of foster families. Ms. Baldi developed the Pack-A-Bag Program that provides foster children with a sense of stability by giving each child a back pack of personal items that they can call their own. She also received a grant from Dave Thomas Foundation to develop a program called The Kids' Clothing Closet which provides Greene County foster children with new clothing twice a year, including two outfits, three sets of undergarments, and a gift care for a new pair of shoes and winter coat once a year. This program serves as a supplement to the state's modest clothing allowance. Ms. Baldi's dedication to improving the lives of foster children in Missouri is the definition of selflessness and compassion for people.