There are almost 400,000 children in the Children and Youth System each year and they need temporary homes. The Children’s Home of Reading is looking to help find those local children throughout Berks County, and the Greater Lehigh Valley foster parents.
“The need is great, especially for teens and sibling groups and children with special needs”, said Jill Troutman, VP of advancement, marketing, and communications for CHOR. “We are unable to place children and are turning the referrals away because of our lack of families.”
The pandemic played a role in the decline of families because the court systems shut down, and when they did open back up, families who had fostered opted to adopt the children who had been placed in their homes once parental rights were terminated.
“It was wonderful for the adoptive family to complete their family, but it left huge gaps for us to try and replace homes for one, two, or possibly three kids,” said Troutman, “This is not just a crisis in our own backyard, but across the United States and world.”
To make information easy for the public to access, CHOR is doing free no-obligation foster parent information sessions in April and May by dropping by or virtually through your phone or computer:
Tuesday, April 18th from 11am until 3pm at 1010 Centre Ave, Reading.
Tuesday, April 25th Virtually from 3pm until 6 lpm (Call for the virtual link at 610-655-5555 or email jhorrocks@choreading.org).
Monday, May 8th from 10am until noon at 220 North Fifth Street, Reading.
Tuesday, May 16th from 11am until 3pm at 1010 Centre Ave, Reading.
Friday, May 26th Virtually from 11am until 3pm (Call for the virtual link at 610-655-5555 or email jhorrocks@choreading.org).
Troutman laughed, “We don’t discriminate, if you want to provide a loving home and meet the criteria to be a foster parent, can pass the background checks, the training, and can pay your bills we want to talk with you. We don’t care if you are a renter, single, couple, LGBtQ+ or if you’re an empty nester, we have kids who are waiting and more entering the CYS system every day.”
To learn more about becoming a foster care parent call Jen at 610-655-5555 or visit buildingkidslives.org.
