Community shows its love to foster families

February 14, 2020

Saint Lucie West –

Foster families are extra special in Florida. The rest of the nation waits until May to celebrate those in our community who open their hearts and homes to children in foster care.

But we in Florida get a jump on the celebrations, reserving the second week - this week - in February as Florida Foster Family Appreciation Week.

"Love and respect for our foster families is a year-long commitment, and not something we wait to do in the spring," CCKids Community Relations Director Christina Kaiser said, referring to National Foster Family Appreciation Month, which occurs in May.

"We try to do things throughout the year, but the time set aside for special observation gives us an opportunity to really dig in, and also to get the community more involved," she said. "There is a lot of activity surrounding our caregiver community right now."

For example, foster families with school-age children were invited to attend a free shoe event this week. The give-away was coordinated by Lil' Feet, an organization that raises money and provides shoes to children who need them.

Each child received a pair of new shoes and pack of socks up to $25. About 50 children in the foster-care system have received shoes through the program since the beginning of the year.

The Martin County Fair also is getting in on the celebratory festivities, providing dinner and free entry to Martin County foster families on a designated day next week.

And the Momentum Foundation - a local non-profit organization that teaches aerial acrobats - is hoping to offer monthly trapeze classes to foster and adoptive families as a bonding and trust-building exercise.

"We also work hard - always - but especially this week - to educate the community about foster care and our need for more caregivers," Kaiser said.

Several social-media campaigns kicked off recently, including an inter-agency Myth of the Month campaign that aims to clear up common misconceptions about foster care, and the Child of the Month series, which will feature the pictures and stories of specific children.

"We always say how much we need foster homes," Kaiser said. "This campaign will put a child's face on that message."

Follow both campaigns on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.