Foster Parent Receives Volunteer Award from Allianz Life

Jerri Searcy, a client services representative for Allianz Life, received the company’s “Volunteer of the Quarter Award” for her work as a foster parent and volunteer for Volunteers of America–Minnesota.

Jerri and her husband, Frazier, have been Volunteers of America foster parents since 1991 and have cared for more than 25 children, typically teenage boys. Many of the youth placed in their care are considered “difficult to place” because they have emotional and/or behavioral issues, or have experienced abuse, neglect or other family issues that endangered their safety. In addition going above and beyond everyday as a foster parent, Jerri has performed training for new foster parents, given speeches promoting the work of Volunteers of America, and has served on the Volunteers of America Foster Parent Advisory Board. What is particularly special about Jerri is that she gives her foster children hope, loves them unconditionally and believes in them at a time when they may not believe in themselves.

What follows are excerpts from a letter written by a young man, who because of Jerri and Frazier’s support, made the National Honor Roll for academic achievement.

“I’m 17 years old and have been a foster child in the Searcy household for ten years. Throughout the years, I could definitely create an ongoing list of things Jerri has done to benefit others. Jerri has always been the person to go out of her way to do humanitarian-type things. She is a very inspirational and dedicated person.” (Next, he described how Jerri would take the family to visit former foster children.) “She never gave up on them,” he said. (Then, he told about the time a former foster child, now an adult, was injured and hospitalized.) “While laying in intensive care, he had no family members by his side except for Jerri and Frazier. Jerri was there for every appointment, every informational meeting, and everyday for two months. Jerri has been like an angel for a long time to many kids. Jerri has been a helping hand whenever someone called for one. She has taught me to be there to lend a helping hand as much as you can, and not look for anything in return. Jerri has taught me giving back is the only way to reach higher achievements in life.”

Congratulations and thank you, Jerri Searcy, from everyone at Volunteers of America–Minnesota.

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