Oklahoma high school student launches foster care social media campaign

Oklahoma City -- Ada High School student Carli Manwell has started an organization and viral social media campaign, #sharefostercare, to rally support and awareness for her Foster Care peers throughout the state. Fostering H.O.P.E, an organization founded by Manwell, supports her local foster care community in southern Oklahoma through providing transition items for children, stocking closets for foster parents, providing monetary support, as well as creating and supporting other existing volunteer efforts.

“After working toward 1,500 hours of volunteer service and raising over $10,000 locally I realized the greatest impact for foster care could be made if more people around the state realized the opportunities around them to support foster care in their own communities. One person won’t change as much but a community—and even an online community— can potentially change everything for these children,” said Manwell.

Manwell said that realization sparked an idea to create a social media campaign to help raise awareness to this issue and unite communities around the state.  She met with the Oklahoma Department of Human Services Office of Communications during the development of a public service announcement.  Manwell created the Facebook Page facebook.com/fosteringhopeok to launch the PSA.  The PSA can be seen in its entirety and then shared from:  https://www.facebook.com/fosteringhopeok/videos/1581374082134917/

The Fostering H.O.P.E facebook page emphasizes there a many ways people can get involved with helping children in their communities. “Becoming a Foster Parent is a very important way to help out but it isn’t the only way. It isn’t just about open homes--it is also about open hearts. Please help share this video and post it on social media using the hashtags: #sharefostercare, #yourethesolution, and #stadiumofhope, so that somewhere, someone in Oklahoma can see there is a child that needs them. By sharing this, your post and click, could be life-changing for a young person somewhere in a community near you.”

Manwell already has a small following but invites anyone with interest to get involved, be bold and make a difference for foster care where they live. On the facebook page individuals can get information about volunteering, mentoring or donating to her organization. For information about becoming a foster parent, call 1-800-376-9729 or visit http://www.okbridgefamilies.com/

For more information visit facebook.com/fosteringhopeok.

###