Every day in America there are 518,000 children living in foster care. The need is great for loving homes when children are separated from their birth families...
Every day in America there are 518,000 children living in foster care. The need is great for loving homes when children are separated from their birth families. Thankfully, caring individuals step forward to fill the gap when families cannot be together and that can make all the difference. Recent reports in Georgia show 4,100 foster families are caring for 8,400 children.
“Little things make a big difference,” says Carolyn Fjeran, GAHSCF operations coordinator. Fjeran retells a time when she and her husband cared for children in foster care. “We wanted our children to experience the same adventures that other children enjoy growing up.” She continued, “One summer we planned a fast-paced vacation to Florida with seven young boys staying as busy as possible taking these kids to the beach, an arcade park/go-cart track, Disney World, Sea World and deep sea fishing. Along the way, we stayed at my parent’s home in Sarasota, Florida and enjoyed a birthday dinner with my grandfather.”
Fjeran noted that she “queried the kids on the way home, asking each child to share his favorite part of the vacation. As we made the rounds, I heard a variety of answers -- one I will never forget.” Fjeran reminisced, “When it was Eric’s turn, he didn’t hesitate: ‘My favorite part was Granddad’s birthday dinner!'” Fjeran notes, “I realized then how special family connections are. These connections make an important difference in the life of a child.”
GAHSC Foundation recognizes National Foster Care Month as a time for communities to support those who make a difference for children. We realize that not everyone has the time or ability to become a foster parent, and yet nearly everyone can help support the work of foster programs in some way. GAHSC is developing a volunteer network through its newly released Volunteer Bank. The Volunteer Bank provides a place where childcare providers and volunteers join hands in caring for children. Providers post requests for services where service seekers can find a match for volunteer opportunities. One such notice asks for a birthday sponsor to help with abused teens by providing a birthday cake and giving them one birthday gift on their special day. “Who can resist such a request?” asks Fjeran.
Other requests in the Volunteer Bank include “new school supplies, especially a new ‘in’ backpack for poor and abused children and teens, and art supply kits for foster children in art therapy programs.” Volunteers are also needed for tutoring, mentoring and therapeutic horseback riding. There are many ways to help foster a child. National Foster Care Month is the perfect time to step forward and make a difference for youth in foster care. The GAHSC Foundation Volunteer Bank is available at www.gahsc.org.
Georgia Association of Homes & Services for Children (GAHSC) Foundation supports those who care for children in foster care. GAHSC is represents over 150 child care programs in Georgia. For more information, contact GAHSCF at 34 Peachtree Street, NW, Suite 1710, Atlanta, GA 30303 or (404) 572-6170.