National Foster Care Month

MESA, AZ, May 01, 2011 (Press-News.org) Each May, since 1988, National Foster Care Month has raised awareness for millions of Americans across the country. Originally purposed to recognize and show appreciation to foster parents throughout the nation, National Foster Care Month has transferred that focus towards the needs of the children, specifically the teenagers, aging out of the system. Today, National Foster Care Month continues to broaden awareness, uniting individuals and organizations through strong support and recruitment programs nationwide.

When parents can not keep their children due to crisis, neglect or abuse, these children enter the foster care system needing safe homes with loving arms to take them in and care for them. With close to half a million children and youth in the foster care system, there is an urgent need for foster and adoptive parents to open their hearts and homes to these children. Whether providing refuge for children of abuse awaiting reunion, or a home of permanence, these children need loving support.

Thanks to large numbers of advocates and supporters, the total number of children in foster care has decreased in recent years, but not enough. More help is needed to ensure the needs of the youth and children are met. There are so many ways you can help even if you can not foster or adopt yourself. The following are just a few of the many ways you can help your community, these children and families in their times of need.

Raise Public Awareness: Post information on your personal website or blog. Adoption.com has a special Photo Listing Widget you can request specifically designed to connect foster children with potential adoptive families by featuring photos, descriptions and video footage along with useful information about fostering and adoption processes. This widget provides a window into the fostering community directly from your site. Additionally, you can distribute foster care info sheets, bumper stickers or book marks to schools, libraries or other public locations to help spread awareness in your community.

Enlist Local Newspapers, TV and Radio Stations: Contact your local newspaper editors and encourage them to contribute articles or a column specifically dedicated to foster care awareness. One east coast man did just that, with the help of his family and local television network, he produced the Adoption Option Show. His show features various families' experiences, bringing Adopting from State Foster Care out of the closet in his community and shedding some much needed light on the urgent need of children in the system.

Recruit Volunteers: Many of these children, through no fault of their own, need special attention. Children of neglect or abuse need extra care, counseling and love. Often times they are behind in school and need mentors to help them with reading, math or other areas they may have fallen behind in while dealing with extreme domestic stress. These children need our time and resources so that they can have every opportunity to excel in their lives.

Sponsor or Co-Sponsor an event: It doesn't have to be huge; you can organize a dinner, picnic, or auction in your community. Invite foster families, activists, local businesses, elected officials, and your friends. Encourage them to participate and raise awareness. Each year, 30,000 children age out of the system without families or support systems in place. Rally volunteers and educate them about the challenges facing the youth "aging out" of care. Raise funds and awareness so these children can gain work skills or pursue educations.

Every child deserves a safe environment in which to grow and thrive in life. This year, do your part and get involved. This May, get out there and actively raise awareness for National Foster Care Month. Visit Adoption.com's Foster Care Blogs and Articles to learn more ways you can support your local Foster Care Community.

Adoption.com is committed to assisting the adoption community in helping as many children as possible find loving, permanent homes. We provide critical information, educating and edifying women facing crisis pregnancies, assist adoptees and birthparents in finding birth families, and help hopeful adoptive parents make adoption dreams come true.

Website: http://www.adoption.com