Clearwater Marine Aquarium Inspires Kids, Foster Families

CLEARWATER, Fla. — The Clearwater Marine Aquarium draws visitors from across the country for unforgettable experiences with marine life, including several beloved dolphins.

But some adults and children facing adversity have a unique opportunity to be inspired to a higher level through close encounters.

“Our Inspire program is designed to help people facing all kinds of life challenges, including children in foster care,” said Karen Malo, Inspire Team Supervisor, who also spent several years advocating for Florida’s most vulnerable children as a guardian ad litem.

“We really pride ourselves on being a safe and happy place for foster children, or any child for that matter, to have a happy day with us. The Inspire program was born with Winter (the dolphin) because she has inspired many people who are facing challenges in life.”

Malo helped expand the Inspire program to reach more children in foster care with the goal of bringing them hope and normalcy. The free program connects with groups working with “underserved communities, individuals facing physical and/or medical challenges, and educational programs that inspire the next generation of marine conservationists,” according to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium.

“We’ve seen a record number of children in foster care recently, particularly in this region, which is the region that has the highest number of children in the system,” Malo said. “We really need people to think about what’s in their heart. Can you advocate for a child? Can you be a guardian ad litem? Can you take a child in and provide a safe place for them?”

For Emily Westerfield, the Inspire program would be the surprise of a lifetime for her two recently adopted foster children. Aubraya and Khaleesi, ages 8 and 6, respectively, are both big fans of the movie Dolphin Tale and loved interacting and playing with Nicholas and Hope, the bottlenose dolphins, to celebrate their new family.

“I’m really excited that they’re happy and that they’re able to have this experience,” said Westerfield, an educator with Pinellas County Schools. She recently finalized both adoptions and continues to serve as a foster parent for other children in the system.

“I spent most of my career teaching in a Title I school, so I met a lot of foster kids along the way, and it just inspired me to say, ‘Hey, I could do this and help families, help kids.’ So teaching was what inspired me to become a foster parent,” Westerfield added.

She stressed the importance of providing normalcy, a loving home and fun experiences for all of her children to help them cope with the trauma of their past.

“My oldest has been in the system for six years, which is 2,080 days,” Westerfield said. “So for the last several years, we’ve been practicing and accepting normalcy. We go to the zoo. We go to soccer games and baseball games. Aubraya has been doing gymnastics since she was 3. Khaleesi just started gymnastics. Sometimes it’s just visiting and experiencing a new park and playground,” Westerfield continued.

Accompanied by her parents and best friend, Westerfield added that their family experience through the aquarium’s Inspire program was a very special celebration with incredible and unforgettable moments for her children.

If you would like to learn more about becoming a foster or adoptive parent, contact Family Support Services of Pinellas and Pasco Counties, or the Children’s Network of Hillsborough.

The Heart Gallery offers more information about children available for adoption in Florida.