Born of her love for children, her knowledge of their suffering in the foster care system and her devotion to her beloved “B” whose adoption changed her life; Judy Cockerton created an amazing array of interventions through the Treehouse Foundation.

She devoted her life, her vision, her incredible determination and resources from the sale of her successful business, to finding solutions that have transformed so many lives. With Treehouse Village (“You have a different view of the world from a treehouse.”), she provided a caring community for families adopting children out of foster care, the children and seniors who support them like foster grandparents.

In addition, many other initiatives sprang from Judy’s mind and heart. Among them are:

A series of conferences called “Reinventing Foster Care in America”,

an equine therapy program “Bird Song Farm”, “Camp To Belong” allowing siblings separated in foster homes to reunite for a few weeks in the summer,“The Suitcase Project” so the children wouldn’t go into foster care with their belongings

in a trash bag, and the Champions … young adults who have experienced foster care and are now successful role models and mentors for the children.

There was always a special magical touch to Judy’s work… like the occasional formal teas with delicious baked treats for the residents.

In her quiet way she was a dazzling example to all of us… a brilliant and loving person living a successful and happy life becoming aware of a problem and determined to create a solution.

Despite disruption to her own life, 22 years of dedication and endless hard work resulted in the remarkable community that has provided a home to so many and inspiration to the field of foster care.

Nancy Hoit