MOUNT VERNON, IL – May is National Foster Care Awareness Month, and the need is greater than ever to find foster parents in the Southern Illinois region – especially for teenagers. Many people are on the fence about being a foster parent. What does it mean to foster a youth? How can you become a Foster parent?
Let us give you all the tools and information you need! Please join us on Wednesday, May 11th,
2016, for our ‘Get the Scoop’ Open House! Our Foster Parent Program staff from the United
Methodist Children’s Home will be available to answer all your questions anytime from 3pm to 6pm at 201 North 27th Street in Mt. Vernon. Stop by and enjoy an ice cream cone, then learn from our licensing specialist what it takes to be a foster parent for a teenager. You’ll also hear stories from professional foster parents living in your area.
“The need is great and we need the community to step up and help our youth. We have several teenagers, ages 14 and up, waiting for a home and need to feel a sense of belonging – to be loved. We get three to four referrals every single week, but there aren’t enough foster homes available,” explains Angie Wilson, Foster Care Supervisor.
The UMCH Foster Care Program is a highly specialized, therapeutic foster care program for adolescents, and we are looking for persons living within a 60 mile radius of Mt. Vernon. The program provides on-going training and support to the foster parents. You can make a difference in the life of an adolescent that needs your support, guidance, and care!
Couples or individuals who are interested in learning more about Foster Care and how they can help, can stop by or call (618) 242-5600 ext. 243 to set up a one-on-one visit with our Foster Care Representative. More information can be found on their website at www.umchome.org ###
