Community Meeting to Examine Area Foster Care Needs

BARTLESVILLE, OKLA. -- The Fostering Hope Community Gathering will be held Thursday, Feb. 26 at East Cross United Methodist Church, 820 S. Madison Blvd., in Bartlesville. The event includes 2 components: a breakfast meeting for pastors, faith and community leaders from 8 to 10 a.m.; and a dinner meeting for the community at-large from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. The events are free to attend and include a meal. Registration is preferred. Register at: http://www.faithlinksok.org/FeaturedEvents.htm.
The community gathering will examine the area’s foster care needs and explore opportunities to serve children. Hosted by the Office of Faith Based and Community Initiatives, Fostering Hope for Children encourages individuals to transform the life of a child through community service.

In November 2008, more than 11,000 Oklahoma children were placed in foster care. In that same period, more than 200 children were placed in foster care in Washington, Nowata and Osage counties combined. Fostering Hope is an opportunity for local faith and community groups to invest in their own futures by investing in the futures of their community’s children.

“You may not be able to change the world, but you can change the world for one child,” said Robin Jones, director, Office of Faith Based and Community Initiatives. “We urge community leaders and citizens to attend this event to learn how they can help their community’s most vulnerable citizens.”

The keynote speaker will be Randy Martin, founder and CEO of Covenant Community Services Inc. Martin has more than 20 years experience in social services, has served as California’s Kern County’s Royal Family Kids’ Camp Director and is a licensed minister and non-profit consultant.

For more information, call (405) 522-0606, (918) 338-5700 or e-mail: info@faithlinksok.org.

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