Foster Parent Fund
Foster Parent Fund
Introduction / History
On October 14, 1988 Stark County Job and Family Services held its first Foster Parent Recognition Banquet at Skyland Pines. The recognition banquet was proposed as an annual event to recognize the foster parents licensed by the agency for their dedication and commitment to caring for the abused and neglected children in Stark County. At that time many community businesses, clubs and individuals donated funds to support the banquet.
Events
Through the years the number of foster families has increased to our current 225 licensed foster homes with an additional 15 families approved for adoption. The annual foster parent banquet is a key component in our efforts to support and retain foster and adoptive families in our program. In addition to the annual foster parent recognition banquet, the Foster Parent Fund sponsors at least two additional special events during the year for our foster and adoptive parents and children.
For the last several years with the exception of 2009, Bear Creek Resort has hosted the Fall Harvest Party. This event provides an opportunity for our foster and adoptive families and children to enjoy lunch and partake in a fun-filled day of activities including horse back rides, pumpkin decorating, face painting, doughnut races and hay rides. The Fall Harvest Party is very well attended; we often receive heartfelt notes of appreciation from our foster and adoptive families afterward.
Heart Gallery
In November 2010, the Foster Parent Fund sponsored the debut of Heart Gallery Stark County; our first such event designed to increase awareness in the community of the need for foster and adoptive families and to commemorate National Adoption Awareness month. Twelve artists from the Canton Arts District were commissioned to paint, photograph or sculpt twelve children selected to represent the 95 children in Stark County awaiting adoptive families.
On November 3, 2010, the first Stark County Heart Gallery, Art with a Heart exhibit was unveiled at the Joseph Saxton Gallery of Photography in Canton, Ohio. The exhibit was modeled after the Heart Gallery adoption recruitment strategy started in New Mexico in 2001. Heart Gallery opened to the general public on First Friday, November 5, after which it traveled throughout Stark County to four different locations including the Alliance Carnation Mall, Stark County District Library, Massillon Museum and Belden Village Mall during the month of November.
The Stark County Heart Gallery, Art with a Heart event was a huge success and launched a month long traveling exhibit of stunning sculptures, paintings, photographs and sketches of twelve children who represented the face of adoption in Stark County and across the nation. It is anticipated the Foster Parent Fund will sponsor Heart Gallery Stark County annually.
The Stark County Job & Family Services, Children Services Division and the Stark County Foster Parent Fund have once again partnered with the Canton Art Community to celebrate National Adoption Awareness month in November and raise awareness of the critical need for adoptive families in our community. The 2011 Stark County Heart Gallery, Art with a Heart exhibit will open on First Friday, November 4th at 5:00 P.M. in The Joseph Saxton Art Gallery. The exhibit will feature 14 children currently waiting for an adoptive family and will travel throughout Stark County during the month of November to be displayed in high traffic locations like museums, libraries, large businesses and shopping areas. It is our hope that these children depicted in beautiful art, created by our local artists, will inspire families to envision themselves as potential adoptive families and forever change the life of a child.
Fore more information, please call Brent Hite at (330) 451-8882 or hiteb@odjfs.state.ohio.us.
2011 Foster Parent Recognition Banquet
The twenty-third annual Foster Parent Recognition Banquet was held at the Meyers Lake Ballroom on May 13. Much preparation goes into making this event memorable and enjoyable for our foster and adoptive parents. The event was moved to the Meyers Lake Ballroom in 2006, in an effort to reduce the overall expense for the banquet and accommodate parking for attendees. The Foster Parent Fund will continue to make financial adjustments as necessary to offset the rising costs of hosting such a large scale event.
Back to School Roller Skating Party
This family fun event is held each year at the end of summer at the North Canton Skating Rink. All Stark County Children Services Division foster/adoptive familes are treated to a free day of skating along with food and drink. School supplies are available for all the foster/adoptive familes in attendance.
Future Funding
The Foster Parent Fund will continue to approach community business, foundations, and private individuals to support the annual banquet and other events. Additionally, the Foster Parent Fund generates funds via fundraising events. Examples of fundraising include Cook Book sales, 50/50 raffles, and basket raffles. This year, we plan to stage a “Wear Blue to Work” day in which we’ll sell buttons with blue pinwheels to the community (including businesses, partner agencies, etc.) for a dollar to benefit the Foster Parent Fund and Project KARE and designate a day in April for all to wear the button, promoting community unification for this cause.
In 2009, the Foster Parent Fund held a pre-paid sale of chocolate Fosters for Easter. The chocolate Fosters were a big success therefore, we would like to host this fundraiser annually.
The Foster Parent Fund’s president anticipates forming a collaborative board within the next six months that will oversee the Foster Parent Fund. The board will be responsible for a major portion of fund-raising activities. Additionally, with the launch of Children Services new web site, we will be using innovative ways to raise funds via the site, including the implementation of a donation button on the site and exploring partnering with online merchants to generate funds through shopping activities in which a portion of sales would be designated to the Foster Parent Fund.
Should donations or sponsorships not support the funding of a banquet or other events in the future, it will be necessary to develop additional strategies to finance these events. Further, it may be necessary to consider alternate ways in which the Foster Parent Fund could support foster and adoptive parents without sponsoring an annual banquet.
Current Board Members
Nancy Jobe MSSA, LISW-S, President
Susan Shearer, Treasurer (effective January 1, 2007)