Angela Kraemer

 I was born addicted to heroin and cocaine.  I spent several weeks in the hospital after being born.  The first few years of my life my Bio-Mom would come and go.  She struggled with illegal activities to support her addiction. I was taken in by my aunt full time when she was 16 and I was 3 after her father died. CPS was in and out those first several years of my life because the courts gave numerous opportunities to my Bio-Mom and the age of my aunt who was raising me. I was adopted at the age of 8 by my aunt and adoptive father.  There was DV and substance abuse in my house growing up with my adoptive father.  At the age of 12 my biological half brother committed suicide and my Bio-Mom committed suicide while in jail.  At the age of 16 after a DV fight between my parents my Mom left my father. On my 18th birthday I tracked down my half sister who was several years older but was adopted out at a young age.  My family was far from traditional. 

Years later, I got married and after giving birth to my first child things changed.  I no longer wanted to go to work just for a paycheck.  However, we could not afford to live off of one income.  A good friend of mine a social worker who is still with the DCYF today recommended this work to me.  Within a few weeks of doing this work I had found my passion. I have been doing this for over 14 years.  I understand the need for agencies like mine from the inside out.

Today my focus is helping families and providers to work together so family time can be safe physically and emotionally, free from judgements and bias, and a overall positive experience.