Final plans are coming together for the 2021 Boys and Girls Homes of North Carolina Fayetteville Foster Parent Recruitment and Appreciation Celebration.
“We are excited to be able to celebrate all of the foster parents in our community,” said BGHNC Director of Foster Care in Fayetteville Taylor Barber. “With the fall festival theme, we are going to have a hay ride, petting zoo and bounce house activities. There will be snacks like popcorn and cotton candy. Plus we will have a variety of raffles.”
The special day is scheduled to take place on Saturday, Oct. 16 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Faith Wesleyan Church on Legion Road.
“We are doing our best to plan in accordance with all of the current COVID restrictions,” said Barber. “We are optimistic that we will be able to hold the celebration to acknowledge the incredible foster parents in our community. Cumberland County has the highest need for quality foster homes in the state. We are always looking to find foster parents dedicated to giving children who have experienced the trauma of abuse and neglect the love, support and commitment they need to feel safe, capable, worthwhile, loveable and valuable.”
This celebration is made possible thanks to a grant received from the Women’s Giving Circle of Cumberland County, a fund of Cumberland Community Foundation, Inc.
“We are grateful for the support provided by this grant,” said BGHNC President/CEO Ricky Creech. “The Women’s Giving Circle of Cumberland County and the Cumberland Community Foundation have provided funds for several years to support foster parents who are dedicated to giving children a home where health, healing and hope can be experienced every day. With their support, we have recruited and trained many new foster parents in the Fayetteville area.”
The BGHNC foster care program serves children ages 0 – 21 who have been removed from their home due to abuse, neglect or dependency.
“Being a foster parent is a tough, but rewarding experience,” said BGHNC Chief Program Officer Donna Yalch, who has worked as a foster care consultant and adopted two children from the foster care system. “Having the right supports in place make a world of difference and I am proud of the way our BGHNC foster care workers provide support for all of our foster parents.”
For more information on becoming a foster parent, contact Taylor Barber at taylor.barber@bghnc.org.
About Boys and Girls Homes of North Carolina
Boys and Girls Homes of North Carolina, Inc., has been helping children since 1954. Since then, more than 7,500 children have benefitted from the services of the not-for-profit, 501(c)3 agency. Its mission is to provide a comprehensive array of services for children and youth who have been removed from their homes due to abuse, neglect or other family dysfunction. BGHNC offers adoption, family and therapeutic foster care, free children’s therapy, as well as residential care on the campus at Lake Waccamaw. The campus features a SACS-accredited school with a middle and high school curriculum, vocational education, recreation facilities, farm, chapel and cottage life. As many as 320 children are cared for through the residential, community-based services, and school program provided by BGHNC at any given time. BGHNC operates its program, services and activities in compliance with federal nondiscrimination laws. BGHNC is nationally accredited by the Council on Accreditation. To learn more, visit www.boysandgirlshomes.org.
