Berneice Newman?s two foster children were expected to meet their biological parents Tuesday night at a new and historical place.
The 4- and 5-year-old children were first to use the Harmony House, the new meeting ground for the county?s roughly 270 foster children and their biological families.
“It?s important that the children see their parents, and to do it in a home-like setting. It makes the bond even stronger,” said Newman, 48, of Pasadena.
Unveiled by officials Tuesday, the Harmony House resides on the grounds of Magothy United Methodist Church in Pasadena leased by the county Department of Social Services.
Officials said it is the first of its kind in the state.
“Children need to see their parents as often as possible,” DSS Director Marci Kennai said. “And to be in a comfortable setting where parents can make dinner for their children makes it all worthwhile.”
Harmony House has rooms with toys, books, coloring sets, chairs, couches, cribs and a full kitchen for families to use. Observers supervise visits.
“At DSS, we were all jammed into one room, and the children are sometimes scared and preoccupied looking at the other people,” said Tonya Lyons, of Annapolis, whose 2- and 12-year-old children were in foster homes before she won them back.
The house allows more visits than the typical one-hour-a-week sessions at the DSS offices in Glen Burnie, Kennai said.
No taxpayer money pays for Harmony House, Kennai said. The Generous Juror Fund, where jurors donate the money earned from jury duty, is the biggest source of aid.
The Rev. Reg Barss of Magothy United Methodist moved out of the house last year and wanted the building to serve a greater purpose.
