Gone fishin': foster families participate in fishing and picnic extravaganza

More than 600 foster children and their families descended onto several fishing ponds at Tingley Beach in Albuquerque on Saturday to celebrate the second annual Foster Family and Friends Appreciation Picnic and Fishing Extravaganza.

Hosted by New Mexico Child First Network, the event featured free fishing, food and outdoor activities, and each child and their family received a free fishing pole and fishing license valid for the next year at any pond, lake or river legally open in New Mexico.

Members of the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish were on hand to register the families for their licenses and hand out the rods. They also stocked the ponds at Tingley with catfish for the children to try and catch.

“Taking part in active fishing is great to get these kids out of the house and see something a little different,” said Ryan Darr, assistant chief with Game and Fish.

The event launched last year in response to House Bill 35, which provided foster families with free annual fishing and camping licenses and free admission to state-owned museums and parks. One of the key advocates for the legislation was Maralyn Beck, founder and executive director of New Mexico Child First Network, who created the event to celebrate the passage of the bill.

“It’s an opportunity to get the kids outside and let the kids be kids and play with worms and go fishing and eat popsicles — that’s what this should be about,” she said.

Among those taking in the sights and sounds of the day was state Children, Youth and Families Secretary Teresa Casados. Wearing a giant smile on her face, Casados said the event not only gives the children a chance to get out and be in nature but also gives the foster parents a break and chance to relax.

“This is an example of supporting foster families,” she said. “It’s really hard work and it takes a lot of time, energy and dedication. And they need to know that they’re not on this journey alone and there’s support from the community.”

One of the families taking the opportunity to enjoy the recreation and relaxation was Olivia Jones and her great-niece and two great-nephews. Jones adopted her great-niece, Nevaeh, in 2008 from her nephew and then adopted her two great-nephews, Nolan and Nate, in 2012, again from her nephew. They moved to New Mexico in 2014 to be closer to family.

“It’s been wonderful, (the kids) love it out here,” she said. “They love going to the mountains and being around family.”

Nate, 12, spent most of his day casting his line, then reeling in moss from the pond and having to clean his line before casting it again. But it didn’t dampen his spirit or attitude.

“I’m having a lot of fun,” he said, smiling. And when asked if he thought he was going to catch something, he didn’t hesitate with his answer: “Oh, yeah!”