The Attic Foster Network is working around the clock to ease the foster child crisis.
Supporting foster families, the Attic provides training for foster parents and items needed for foster children, while sourcing items from the community through donations.
The Attic's assistant executive director Shauna Todd decided to get involved with the AFN after she began her journey as a foster parent in 2018.
"Through this experience, I saw the dire need for foster families in our area as well as the need for our community to encourage and support foster families as they care for our most vulnerable children."
According to the Attic website, only 7.7% of foster children were placed in a home in their county in July 2021.
"In July there were 272 children in foster care from our area and over 90% of those children were placed outside of their home counties due to a lack of available foster homes in this area," Todd said. "Over 60% of those children were 100 or more miles away from home. At The Attic, we see the need for qualified foster homes in our area and we seek to increase awareness about the crisis for the children of our foster system."
The Attic supports foster families through other means.
"The Attic helps foster families through a 'Welcome Wagon' which is a celebration the Attic throws for new foster children arriving at a foster home," Todd said. "The Attic also provides monthly training to foster parents."
To engage with and encourage individuals, the Attic inspires churches and small groups to get involved through volunteering.
Those interested in community and engagement opportunities can click here to visit the Attic's website.