State Foster Care Awareness Walk set for Chickasha

OKLAHOMA CITY -- A one-mile foster care awareness walk will be held in Chickasha, Saturday, November 12, beginning at 9 a.m. Individuals from the community, faith based groups, agency employees, and their families are encouraged to participate.

The family-oriented walk is designed to promote awareness and response to the crisis faced by children in protective state custody, as reflected in the 8046 Campaign (8,046 is a snapshot of the number of children in state custody on Jan. 2, 2011). 

“The Walk a Mile in my shoes event offers individuals and their families a small first step in learning about the many ways anyone can help these children--whether it involves becoming a foster parent or simply collecting resources for foster families,” said Robin Jones, Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives Director.  

Participants are asked to bring a suitcase they can pull or carry during the walk. The experience of pulling a suitcase symbolizes the many moves children in foster care must endure because of the shortage of foster homes. Quite often these children only have a trash bag to carry their belongings. Therefore, the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) and partner agencies need donated suitcases.

“All children need to grow up safely in families. When they cannot be with their own families, they need other families to open their homes and their hearts to these children,” said Deborah Smith, Director of OKDHS Children and Family Services Division. 

“This event will really highlight the commitment of OKDHS staff and many other partners to finding solutions and bringing awareness to the struggles of some children in foster care. My hope is there will be 100 new families express an interest during this exciting event,” Smith added.

Walkers will meet at the USAO Oval in Chickasha. Registration is free, but Walk a Mile tee-shirts are available for a $15 donation. Contact Sherrie Evans at (405) 222-4547 or jsscmevans@att.net for registration or more information.

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