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 The average American family has two, maybe three children.
But John and Diane Torma are anything but average.
The Tormas fostered more than 70 children over a span of 40 years, beginning in 1969. At that time, Diane, an only child with no children of her own, felt inspired to help children in need. She had always enjoyed being around children – she helped raise her cousins and had been a Girl Scout and Brownie leader.
“I remember hearing about Catholic Charities at church and on TV commercials and decided to get involved,” said Diane. “And boy, did we ever!”
Diane began fostering newborns and has since fostered children two to eight years old, and even one 13-year-old – sometimes two or three at a time.
With that many children came many wonderful memories. They took the children to family gatherings at the zoo, the beach, Fantasy Island, and Darien Lake.
“We enjoyed home movies, coloring, gardening, swimming and just being silly,” said Diane. “We let our imaginations take us away!”
Through it all, John and Diane say Catholic Charities has been like family, and that as much as they have given of themselves, they have received critical support from staff whenever they needed it.
“Times may have changed since we began this journey,” said Diane, “but one thing has always been a constant – and that is the support and care that we have received from the professionals at Catholic Charities.”
Today, many of the children the couple raised still keep in touch, and some are even foster parents themselves.
“Foster care is an undying love we have,” said Diane. “No matter the race, religion or behavior, we were dedicated to our children. And, no matter what it took to love, for a long time or just a short time, we were there for them.”
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