Hattiesburg, MS – As part of a public, private, and faith-based partnership, Communities of Hope is hosting Fostering Hope, a foster care awareness and call to action event at William Carey University, Tatum Court, 710 William Carey PKWY, Hattiesburg on Saturday, August 10, 2024, from 9:00 am to 11:00 am. Communities of Hope is an initiative created by agencies, groups, and individuals within Mississippi’s communities working together to embrace and support children and families involved in foster care. Only through a collaborative effort can we, as a community, mobilize involvement and reduce barriers to increase awareness, resources, and support for children and families. MDCPS Commissioner Andrea Sanders stated, “With over 3,800 children in foster care, it takes all of us to ensure that families have what they need to be successful. It is critical for the Agency to work with all resources that serve children across the State, including private foster care agencies, advocates and volunteers, local organizations and faith-based groups that wrap around families. We need your help more than ever and are committed to revitalizing how we serve and engage the community.” “We believe that everyone can do something to meet the needs of families involved with foster care. At the Fostering Hope event, attendees will learn about programs and agencies in Forrest and surrounding counties that work to support families and children. This event will be an excellent introduction for anyone wanting to get involved but still trying to determine how to do it,” stated MS Supreme Court Justice Dawn Beam. Representatives from MDCPS Foster Parent Recruitment Unit, Licensure Unit, MS Heart Gallery, First Place for Youth, Southern Christian Services, and Catholic Charities, along with others, will be available to share opportunities to get involved in adoption, fostering, volunteering time, and donating items. We invite anyone in the community to attend to learn more about the foster care system, how to become a foster or therapeutic foster family or ways to get involved in providing resources or support to families and children in your community. The Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services serves to protect children, support families, and encourage lasting family connections. To learn more, please visit www.mdcps.ms.gov.
