Finding a home for every child.
DYK? There are 4,190 children currently in foster care in S.C., with only 2,707 foster families. 611 of those children are in foster care in Richland and Lexington Counties.
That means there is a gap of 218 foster homes in our community. In S.C., 1,483 are needed to close the gap.
The S.C. House recently passed new legislation (bills S.C. H. 3442 + H. 3465) that not only makes it easier for foster families to adopt the children that they’re fostering, but also factors in the wishes of the birth parents + foster parents on where the children are placed, to make sure that they’re placed into a safe + happy home or avoid the foster system altogether.
Locally and statewide, there are many ways to make a difference in these children’s lives:
- Explore becoming a foster parent. Read these FAQs from SC Families and SCYAP, and ask yourself these questions from Columbia SC Mom’s Blog. Attend an information session by Heartfelt Calling.
- Meet the faces of fostering, like these current foster parents and these local children awaiting an adoptive home.
- Attend a number of benefit events that help to support fostering organizations such as the annual Friends Night Gala benefitting Epworth Children’s Home in March.
- Mentor a child in foster care. Fostering Great Ideas and Epworth Children’s Home help lead volunteer mentoring programs.
- Financially support a child-serving organization. Research what they do and see if it coincides with your ideas of a better future for children in foster care.
- Become an advocate. Call your legislators and strive to improve the family court process or join Speak Up, a group of citizens working to better the foster care system.
- Prepare or donate meals, or parts of meals, during the holidays for children and their families.
- Become a foster parent or adopt a child. Several local organizations including Epworth Children’s Home and Bethany offer programs to help you through the process of welcoming a foster child into your family.
Share your story. Have you been a foster parent or a child in foster care? Send us your stories, thoughts + ideas over on Facebook or via email.
About 2 years ago, my aunt and uncle became foster parents after falling in love with their grandchildren. They had no idea what to expect + neither did the rest of the family. Immediately after being approved by the board they received a pair of siblings + have had them ever since; along with several other foster children that our family has gotten to love on as they have passed through.
It’s been a bittersweet experience but I’m so happy they took on this role + I would encourage anyone else that feels the calling to do it, too.
Go make a difference,
(and have you taken our survey yet?)
– Megan
