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Share your heart, open your home
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Posted by myeary Tue Apr 25, 2006 12:22:48 PDT
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0 responses 0 comments Did you know that May is Foster Care Awareness Month?

Koinonia Foster Homes is a foster family agency that serves the Bakersfield, Lake Isabella and Tehachapi communities by providing safe, caring, loving and nurturing homes to the abused and neglected children of Kern County.

Koinonia Foster Homes utilizes a faith-based approach to foster care and has been in existence for over 20 years with 30 offices servicing California and Nevada. 

When safe family reunification is not possible, many foster parents can choose to adopt the children who have been placed in their homes, offering permanency and stability these children would otherwise not know.

During Foster Care Awareness Month, Koinonia is looking for families who will get involved by sharing their hearts, opening their homes, and offering help.

The commitment you make will leave an indelible mark on generations to come. You can help end cycles of neglect, abuse and/or drug addiction by getting involved in foster care. And you can often help a child be the first in his or her family to finish high school or even go to college. 

By qualifying to become a certified foster parent, these children will be able to leave your home knowing many positive paths available to them in life. 

To find out if you meet the requirements to apply to be a foster parent, we suggest that you attend one of our monthly informational nights. 

The next info night will be held Monday, May 22, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. If you are interested in attending, call Koinonia at 323-5242 to reserve your spot.  The Koinonia Office is located at 4900 California Ave. Suite 200 B in Bakersfield.

And if you can’t be a foster parent, you can still get involved.

How about lighting a candle as a family to remember foster children who still need permanent families? Set the candle outside in a safe place, and encourage neighbors to join you in lighting a candle as well. 

Or you could become a CASA volunteer –– Court Appointed Special Advocate. 

Another way to get involved is to donate new pillows to the agency so children will have a clean pillow of their own providing a secure feeling upon arrival to their new home. 

Or how about having a family movie night where the subject of the movie is foster care? Recommended choices are "Antwone Fisher" or "White Oleander."  

Lastly, you could become a respite provider to give certified foster parents a needed break from the daily demands of their valuable commitment.

Most importantly, do you hear what abused and neglected children are really saying? “I need hope . . . I need love . . . I need a warm and compassionate home . . . I need someone who cares.” 

Call Koinonia Foster Homes today to see how YOU can help a hurting child at 323-5242.

 

 

 

 

 

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