Page 5 - Palm City Spotlight - May '24

Palm City Spotlight, Page 5

good WorkS

#25by2025 Campaign To Since 2020, the

Recruit Foster Homes Kicks community has
experienced a 58 percent
Off With A Story Stroll decrease in homes in
Okeechobee and the
Communities Connected for Kids (CCKids) launched a Treasure Coast, said
communitywide foster-home recruitment campaign Saturday Christina Kaiser, CCKids
at its Third Annual 1K for Kids and Story Stroll. community relations
Called #25by2025, the campaign’s goal is to recruit and director.
license a minimum of 25 foster homes by Jan. 1, 2025 – “We have many
homes that will help reverse a downward trend in the number wonderful homes and
of foster homes being licensed since the COVID pandemic. nurturing caregivers, but
it’s not enough to keep
up with the number of
children coming into
care or the number of
homes closing,” said A more robust network of foster homes also makes it
Kaiser, adding that many possible to keep siblings together and to keep children closer
caregivers close their to their homes and schools while in foster care.
homes after adopting The #25by2025 campaign offers the community many
or for related family opportunities to get involved in advocating for and recruiting
reasons. homes, Kaiser said.
“We have too many “We created a list of 25 ways to help – from sharing
children and teens in campaign information on social media to selecting foster-care
group care or placed in themes for book clubs,” she said. “Some of it might seem
other parts of the state,” small, but one small act can make a huge difference – one
she said. “Twenty-five connection can change the life of a child.”
new homes will be That was the message Saturday morning at Port St. Lucie’s
enough to start bringing Hillmoor Lake Park, where CCKids launched the campaign
them home.” as part of its 1K for Kids and Story Stroll.
Nearly 200 people registered for the event, which included
a 1K interactive trail where walkers could use QR codes to
Spotlight from page 4 learn more about the foster-care community.
Also at the event were several foster-parent licensing
As we bid farewell agencies and a series of celebration stations where participants
to Schineis and warmly could join the #ManicureMovement to raise awareness for
welcome Lovett into his the prevention of child abuse or record a three-second video
new role, United Way of to celebrate families being reunified this summer.
Martin County is not only Walkers also had the opportunity to join the Starfish
transitioning leadership Society, a special tier of giving for those who elevate their
but also transforming its commitment to the #25by2025 campaign.
workspace to better serve For a complete list of ways to help, or to join the
our community. The recent Theresa Schineis’ retirement campaign’s Starfish Society, visit our campaign site at cckids.
renovations symbolize our cake net and then click the #25by2025 banner.
commitment to efficiency Community leaders and partners enjoying United Way of
and sustainability, ensuring that every resource is directed Martin County’s Open House
towards our mission of improving lives and strengthening
our community. We invite all members of the community United Way continues to create long-term social change
to join us in this exciting journey towards a brighter future and provide support to Martin County residents by
for Martin County. investing in programs that strive to enhance healthy living,
About United Way Of Martin County improve education and support financial stability. For
United Way of Martin County’s mission is to improve more information about United Way of Martin County or
lives by mobilizing the caring power of our community. its foundation, please visit unitedwaymartin.org.

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