Empty Nesters…Kids Need Temporary Homes
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Jill Troutman
Cell: 717 576 1714
Email: jtroutman@choreading.org
Reading, PA-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 kids 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.”
COVID 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 18 from 11 am until 3 pm at 1010 Centre Ave, Reading
Tuesday, April 25 Virtually from 3 pm until 6 pm (Call for the virtual link at 610-655-5555 or email jhorrocks@choreading.org)
Monday, May 8 from 10 am until noon at 220 North Fifth Street, Reading
Tuesday, May 16 from 11 am until 3 pm at 1010 Centre Ave, Reading
Friday, May 26 Virtually from 11 am until 3 pm (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.
