Meet Homefinders Kelly and Ciara

Read time: 2 minutes 

Hudson Falls-based Homefinders Kelly Talback and Ciara Tabor have worked together for nearly a decade, crediting the bond they’ve created (plus caffeine and music) with keeping them motivated, engaged – and laughing. 

Supporting Each Other 

During heavy times, they regularly check in with each other whether it’s a personal or professional matter, and they never lose sight of their sense of humor.  Recognizing in each other when one is feeling overwhelmed, they’ll step up and see how they can best offer support. 

“We meet each other where we’re at,” they say, “working within one another’s strengths and needs. We are consistently in communication, talking through placements, recruitment, foster parent support, ways to improve our everyday flow, and our overall professional goals.”  

They also make sure to take the time to celebrate one another – no matter how big or small the wins. 

There is No ‘My Foster Home’ 

In the time that they’ve been working together, Ciara and Kelly have been through three maternity leaves, and when one is out the other steps up to handle the work. For the pair, there is no “your foster home” or “my foster home” or “your foster youth” or “my foster youth.” They equally know all of the homes, including knowing who should call which homes based on history and communication. 

Recruiting and Supporting Foster Parents 

Whether it’s a monthly virtual lunch and learns with their foster parents or representing Together for Youth in the community, Kelly and Ciara are drawn to helping the helpers, finding peace and joy in being a support system for both foster parents and their team at large.  

“We both have the kind of personalities where people tend to want to share their life stories with us, and we are here for it!” they say. “We hold space for everyone because we want them to do the same for us.” 

Ask them what their favorite events are, and without hesitation they’ll say it’s the ones they host for their foster parents and youth. 

Every year they put on – with help from the whole Hudson Falls team – a holiday party and foster parent appreciation party.  

“We find such shared joy together – and as a team – celebrating, supporting, and showing appreciation for our foster families. These events are so meaningful because we get to see everyone together, and we get to provide that fellowship for foster families and foster youth, so they know they are not alone but part of a whole.”