FAYETTEVILLE, GA – Bloom, a Georgia nonprofit serving children and families impacted by foster care, recently honored the extraordinary legacy of two foster fathers whose dedication, compassion, and commitment have made a lasting difference in the lives of children. Bloom recently presented foster father Tom Riley with the inaugural Nazeeh Shabazz North Star Fatherhood Award, created in memory of longtime Bloom foster parent Nazeeh Shabazz. Nazeeh fostered with Bloom for more than five years and was known throughout the Bloom community as a fierce advocate for children, a trusted mentor to other foster parents, and a devoted father. Every child who entered his home was immediately treated as family and reminded that they were loved, valued, and capable of accomplishing great things. “Nazeeh Shabazz was, in every sense, a north star: steady, guiding, a light that others could follow home,” said Pamella Talley, Bloom’s Senior Vice President of Foster Care and Prevention Services. The award was created to recognize foster fathers who embody those same qualities of unwavering commitment, service, and unconditional love. Its first recipient, Tom Riley, has demonstrated that commitment time and again. Tom and his wife, Lucy, first became involved in foster care after supporting another foster family through Promise686. They later became licensed respite foster parents with Bloom and have since opened their home 63 times to 20 different children, providing 329 days of care. Whether…
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