F      ormer Wednesday’s Child

Finding Family,

Fighting for Change in Foster Care

Speaking with Curry Magazine as he approached graduation, Luis recalled meeting Jack Williams in that Stoughton firehouse and said Jack is his greatest hero next to his mom, Mary Beth Carmody, a woman whom Williams calls the real hero.

Luis’ mom is the youngest of eight children, and when adopted Luis suddenly found himself in the midst of a large Irish Catholic family. He spoke with love of his grandma, the matriarch of the family, grandmother to 29 grandchildren and 35 great-grandchildren. Religion was important in his new family; his uncle was a priest and Luis learned a lot about faith from him.

“What foster care kids need is guidance, patience and love. These kids can make something of themselves. We as a society need to be determined not to let people turn a blind eye to foster kids and the foster care system.”

With a desire to help others as he himself had been helped, Luis became an activist for foster kids. He has been involved in activities such as serving on the Speak Out team for Mass Families for Kids, an organization that works towards more timely and stable, permanent outcomes for children in foster care, and during his college career did internships in Washington D.C. with the Congressional Coalition for Adoption Institute (CCAI) and the Orphan Foundation of America. Luis advocates for better screening of foster parents, as well as better pay, lower case loads, and recognition for social workers.

A double major in communication and psychology, Luis said his short term goal was to land a position at a local human service organization. He achieved that goal quickly, and is now

employed at the Bridge of Central Massachusetts, Inc., a program that helps children, adolescents and adults who have social and psychological needs.

Long term, Luis spoke about bringing the disciplines of both his majors together by someday starting a summer theater program for children with behavioral issues as a form of therapy or going to LA to direct his own film.

Luis says he was inspired by Jack’s example. Over the years, he’s had a chance to keep in touch with Jack - his TV directing class took a field trip to Channel 4 when Jack was there, and Luis has actually gone to events where he has been able to present awards to Jack.

“Jack helped me find a piece of me. He found me not just a home but a family, a community, a way of life,” said Luis.

Luis also listed a number of Curry people who provided him with inspiration over the years including D.L. Garren and John Barrett with whom he worked as a participant in the Curry theater program; Pat Mytkowicz - “another hero” - in PAL; Dr. Kahn in Psychology; Philip Lamb in English; and Director of Radio Alan Frank with whom he worked as a DJ at WMLN.

Luis felt that Curry College was the perfect place for him to excel because of its highly personal approach to the educational experience.

“It’s such a student focused school. Where else could you see and talk to your professors at lunch, even the President at lunch, as real people?” wondered Luis. “It was like having another family.”

Jack Williams and Luis Carmody ’04