Families help launch Foster Care Month at soccer match

Hundreds of children and their foster families celebrated the launch of Foster Care Month at pre-match festivities and the Minnesota Stars vs. Atlanta Silverbacks soccer match in Blaine May 5. To recognize the commitment of foster families who care for children in crisis and help them safely reunite with their birth families or move on to other safe, nurturing, permanent families, counties and DHS, the Minnesota Stars and The Sanneh Foundation expressed their appreciation during the third annual Celebrate Foster Families event.
 
“In Minnesota, thousands of children are in foster care,” said DHS Commissioner Lucinda Jesson. “When they are hurt and struggling, foster families open their homes and care for them. These events make it possible for us to extend our appreciation to foster families and to provide information to those thinking about becoming foster parents, particularly for teenagers and large sibling groups.”

Currently, foster families care for 8,000 children are in foster care in Minnesota. Most return home to their birth families. More information is available in a fact sheet about foster care (PDF).

Pictured above, soccer was a family affair at the Celebrating Foster Families event for, from left, Danielle, 12; Tia, 9; and Torrey, 8.