May is Foster Care Awareness Month

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May is Foster Care Awareness Month

Calendar-IconApril 28, 2017

May is National Foster Care Awareness Month and Cincinnati Foster Care celebrated with the Cincinnati Red’s on May 19th at the Great American Ballpark thanks to a generous donation of more than 1,000 Reds tickets from Most Valuable Kids. Thank you, Cincinnati Reds and Most Valuable Kids for making a difference for children and families!   

Cincinnati Foster Care is a city-wide partnership of the top foster care and adoption agencies in Southwestern Ohio. “These 14 organizations are responsible for providing care to an average of 1,000 infants, toddlers, school age children and adolescents on any given day”, says Pamela Lindeman, M.Ed., LPCC, Founder & Chair of Cincinnati Foster Care. Partner organizations include: 

  • The Bair Foundation
  • Beech Acres Parenting Center
  • The Buckeye Ranch
  • Child Focus, Inc.
  • Choices, Inc.
  • Focus on Youth
  • Hamilton County Department of Job and Family Services
  • Lighthouse Youth Services
  • NECCO
  • National Youth Advocate Program
  • Ohio Mentor
  • SAFY
  • St. Joseph Orphanage 

Lindeman goes on to say that this once in a lifetime Reds game provides a positive youth enrichment experience for children in care and raises awareness about the critical role that foster care and adoption plays in meeting the needs of our communities most disadvantaged youth. In the last 6 years, there has been a 45% increase in the number of children entering foster care in Hamilton County. The dramatic increase is due to mounting substance abuse, social, economic and mental health problems plaguing our community. Because of the dramatic increase of children entering care and the shortage of available foster homes locally, 42% of children are being placed out of the Cincinnati area, away from family, friends and school which compounds the trauma for children. 

Foster care and adoption very positively and powerfully changes children's lives and puts them in an environment for success. There is a dire need for foster and adoptive families as the numbers of children needing homes has reached historic highs. Not everyone can be a foster or adoptive parent but EVERYONE can support children in care through mentoring, volunteering and donating generously to this important cause. In addition to an information tent at the Red’s Ballpark Fan Zone, Hamilton County Job and Family Services will have their Heart Gallery display of children in Hamilton County who are presently waiting for adoption. Individuals interested in finding out more about becoming a Cincinnati Foster Care family or adoption are encouraged to visit the Red's Ballpark Fan Zone on May 19th!    

For information on becoming a foster or adoptive parent, go to Cincinnati Foster Care at www.cincinnatifostercare.org and select an organization that matches your interest. Any one of the partner organizations is eager and ready to assist you. Also, you may contact Pamela Lindeman, Child Focus, Inc. plindeman@child-focus.org 752-1555.

Be a Foster or Adoptive Parent!  
Did you know that over 200 children need to be adopted in Hamilton County like Avahanna pictured here. Go to https://www.hckids.org/children/girls/ to learn more about each child waiting to be adopted.

Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cincinnatifostercare 

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/CinciFosterCare 

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