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Want to get involved?
May is Foster Care Month 
The first celebration of Foster Care Month dates back to 1988. Early campaigns recognized outstanding foster families. In recent years the focus has broadened to raise awareness of the needs of young people in care.
The message to Americans in 2005: "Share your heart. Open your home. Give hope. You can change a lifetime."
The 14 national organizations that sponsor Foster Care Month understand that many of us want to help but have no idea how. This year it’s easier than ever to get involved.
The Web site at www.fostercaremonth.org not only lists 21 meaningful ways to change the lifetime of a young person in (or soon to leave) foster care, but also helps you take the first step.
Below every action item is a Web link to an organization that’s already doing what you’re interested in. (No need to re-invent the wheel.)
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Wearing a blue ribbon is a simple way to show that you’re aware and you care. |
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There's also a national calendar of local events the public can support. And a toolkit for planners of ribbon-tying events.
And, most heartening of all, a host of success stories about both celebrities and everyday people who are changing a lifetime for youth in foster care.
Why a blue-ribbon month?
“The message for May is one of hope and action,” says Foster Care Month’s national chairperson, Virginia Pryor of Casey Family Programs. “Now is the time for you to come forward for a child in any way you can. What you choose to do today will make a lasting difference in the life of a child.
“We use May as a focal point,” Pryor explains, “to draw attention to the unsung heroes in our local communities—the foster parents, relative caregivers, mentors, advocates, social workers, and others who are making a difference in the lives of children.”
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