OKLAHOMA CAPITOL -- More than 6,000 Oklahoma children live in foster care because their families are in crisis and unable to provide for their essential well-being.  May is Foster Care Awareness Month with May 11-17 designated as Change a Child’s Forever week. The Oklahoma Department of Human Services Office of Faith Based and Community Initiatives invites all faith communities to acknowledge Change a Child’s Forever in their congregational gatherings on Saturday, May 16 or Sunday, May 17.

Many families think the only way to help with foster care is to be a foster parent, but there are a variety of ways to express love and support for children. OFBCI has created a list, “Top 10 Ways You Can Help a Foster Child,” to encourage the faith community’s involvement in the various needs associated with foster care. The ideas range from hosting a baby shower to collecting school supplies or offering respite care for foster families. 

For a list of ways your congregation can participate in Change a Child’s Forever, or to request copies of the leaflet “The Top 10 Ways You Can Help A Foster Child”, visit http://www.faithlinksok.org/ or call (405) 522-0606.

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