Charles "Chaz" Tedesco Champion Award

2022

Shari Shink was surprised and delighted to receive the Charles “Chaz” Tedesco Champion Award this December from Foster Source. The award recognizes someone who encompasses Foster Source’s three values: education, connection and nourishment.

Cobbled Streets partnered with Foster Source “right out of the gate” in 2020, and together have been able to do amazing things for children and families in the foster care system. Chaz Tedesco, the

namesake of the award, is a great role model, one of the few government officials who truly understands the foster care experience and has worked hard to bring attention to the system while doing whatever he can for the kids caught up in it.

Shari first met Chaz when he reached out to Cobbled Streets and asked for our help for a teenager, who had just graduated from high school without a family or funds to live independently. Together, with Chaz, we raised the funds needed to give her a good start, and Cobbled Streets found a volunteer who provided a car. Given that experience, Shari said of Chaz, “There’s no one like him!” To receive an award from Foster Source, a great partner, created in honor of Chaz Tedesco, makes it even more special.