Baseball is often called America’s pastime. It is summer, ballpark lights, cheering crowds, hot dogs, home runs, and families making memories together. In many ways, it feels like all that is good and right about a summer night.

But for many children in foster care, an experience like this may be rare, or even brand new. And for foster families who are selflessly caring for children, often while also raising biological, adopted, or kinship children, the cost of a night at the ballpark can be difficult to manage on a regular day.

“My little children, I am writing this to you that you may not sin.

And if anyone sins, we have an advocate with the father, Jesus Christ the righteous.”

Every child deserves to feel safe, seen, and supported. At CK Family Services (CKFS), our mission is rooted in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of children—especially those facing the risk of abuse, neglect, or exploitation. As we recognize Child Abuse Prevention Month this April, we’re reminded that prevention is not just a moment—it’s a movement. And CKFS is honored to be on the front lines of that movement every single day.

"Hold them, rock them, love them and tell them how great they are." — Clara Hale

Born in North Carolina, raised in Philadelphia, and later settling in Harlem, Clara Hale (later nicknamed "Mama Hale") never knew her father, who passed away when she was an infant. Her mother worked tirelessly, cooking, cleaning, and taking in boarders to provide for the family. She instilled in Clara and her four siblings a deep commitment to solid and ever-present parenting. That foundation, along with Clara’s strong Baptist faith, carried her through difficult times.

Women have always been the heart of their families, workplaces, and communities—balancing multiple roles with resilience and grace. Whether as caregivers, leaders, mentors, or advocates, women bring a unique blend of compassion, intelligence, ingenuity, and courage to everything they do. As we celebrate Women’s History Month, we recognize the incredible versatility of women and the profound impact they have in shaping the world.

At CK Family Services, some of the most impactful work happens behind the scenes, where the day-to-day operations run smoothly, thanks in large part to the dedication of our incredible front office team. This month, we’re giving you a closer look at the Arlington and Plano offices, where three extraordinary women—Lori Kay Park, Lori Hunt, and Phunh Soto—keep things running like clockwork.

The Arlington Front Office: Organized Chaos with a Smile

“People united through God to enhance the physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being of at-risk children and families.”

At CK Family Services, our mission is not just a statement on a page—it is the heartbeat of everything we do.  It is more than words. It is a call to action, a guiding principle, and a reminder of the purpose that drives us each day.

Growing up, we never had a regular Christmas tree. That may have been because my mom was creative, or it might have been because we were poor and necessity is the mother of invention. Perhaps it was both. About two weeks before the 25th, my mom and dad would go to the woods and find a limb that she thought was just right. My dad would then affix the limb to a platform, and Mom would put flocking on it and hang “icicles” and cheap treats from the branches. It was fantastic!