Who We Are
Connecting Bridges was formed in October 2009 by foster parents who hope to help the fractured parts of Milwaukee's foster care system work together. Our primary and immediate goal is to help foster and adoptive children by helping their foster and adoptive parents. While our efforts to date have been primarily focused on establishing Connecting Bridges and forging positive working partnerships with the parties in Milwaukee County's foster care system, we plan to expand the Board of Directors in 2010. Check back here in the future for an application to join our Board of Directors.
The following are the people who formed Connecting Bridges and serve on its Board of Directors:
Paulette Drankiewicz, Director and Treasurer
Paulette is a nurse who lives in Greenfield with her husband of 21 years. She has six children, including three adopted children, and two foster children. She has been a foster parent for 6 years and is eternally grateful that her husband has chosen to stay at home and try to keep tabs on their children. You can find articles about Paulette and her husband from the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel by clicking here and here.
Ralph Gundrum, Director, President and Secretary
Ralph is an attorney who lives in Milwaukee with his wife, three children and his foster son. He's been married for over 10 years and a foster parent for 2 years. When he's not working on Connecting Bridges matters or wondering why so few people in Milwaukee County seem to pay attention to foster children, he tries to get articles about foster care published in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.
Gary Silverman, Director
Gary works for the United States Postal Service and lives in Milwaukee. He is the father of four children and, in his eight years as a foster parent, has fostered over 20 foster children. Gary is the President of United Foster Parent Association of Greater Milwaukee, a support group for Milwaukee's foster parents.
Kia Woda-Rudolph, Director
Kia and her husband of 17 years have been foster parents for over 10 years. Kia resides in West Allis with her husband, two adopted children and a foster daughter who they plan to adopt soon. She has been in the healthcare field for over 20 years and owns a mudjacking and concrete business with her husband Joe, who also is employed by the City of West Allis. Kia continues to be an advocate for children and families in the foster care system and is the President of Voices United, Inc. which is a support group for foster, adoptive and kinship families. Kia also enjoys photography, scrapbooking and never passes up a good estate sale!
Governance
We are committed strong governance principles, which we believe will help ensure that Connecting Bridges is successful in helping foster and adoptive children by helping their foster and adoptive parents. Click here to see our: