In June 2021, it was calculated there were 14,070 children and youth in foster care in Pennsylvania, according to media.pa.gov. That number is around the same for May 2022. Currently, in the United States, more than 400,000 kids are in foster care.

“Foster children who are never adopted - they ‘age out’ of foster care - are more likely to face homelessness and teen pregnancy and are less likely to finish a four-year degree,” Kim Strong writes in a story for York Daily Record.

For those who do not have the passion, resources or space to house kids in foster care, you can still make a difference in their lives and in the lives of foster care parents to help create loving and safe homes. And if this topic, per chance, has been on your mind lately, May is the perfect month to put thoughts into actions.

Officially established in 1988 by then-President Ronald Reagan, National Foster Care Month is celebrated every May.

“National Foster Care Month is an initiative of the Children’s Bureau. Each May, we take time to acknowledge foster parents, family members, volunteers, mentors, policymakers, child welfare professionals and other members of the community who help children and youth in foster care find permanent homes and connections. We use this time to renew our commitment to ensuring a bright future for the more than 407,000 children and youth in foster care and celebrate those who make a meaningful difference in their lives,” according to childwelfare.gov.

So, how can you help? A monetary donation or a contribution of items can be a great way to assist foster care kids and parents. One local organization is The Kindness Project, a valuable resource in the foster care community.

“The Kindness Project provides support to foster families in the Lehigh Valley and surrounding areas by supplying clothing, furniture and other essential items, free of charge, to children in foster care,” according to the website, kindnessprojectlv.org. “Children are often placed in foster care with no personal items. Through our shop, The Kindness Exchange, located in Emmaus, kids are provided with stylish new or like-new clothes and personal items to help meet their most immediate needs.”

An easy way to help this organization is by visiting its Amazon wish list, which can be accessed by clicking on the top-right icon on its website. Volunteers are also needed to help with laundry, cleaning, maintenance and more.

“Our vision is a community of support for foster families and children. The Kindness Project is a fully donation-based, volunteer-driven, 501(c)3 nonprofit organization,” the website states.

Also, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 21, with a rain date of May 22, there will be a yard sale fundraiser for The Kindness Project at 860 Broad St., Emmaus.

For more specific ways on how you can help, email kindnessprojectlv@gmail.com. The Kindness Project is also on social media - Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Some other ways you can support foster kids and caregivers is by simply spreading the word. Help a friend who is thinking about becoming a foster parent do research online - or stop by Northampton Area Public Library, 1615 Laubach Ave., which has a setup of various informational materials and books available. Share this opinion piece with someone you know. Ask your church, club, Scout troop or other community group to host a discussion on or a fundraiser for a foster care organization. Jenae Holtzhafer, from The Kindness Project, spoke at a recent meeting of the Morning Glories, a group with Holy Trinity Memorial Lutheran Church, 604 Fourth St., Catasauqua. Gather your family members and do a community service project. There are several ways to get involved.

I know the Lehigh Valley has many caring and action-orientated citizens. We are a big community of helpers. Let’s show some love to our foster kids and parents.

Stacey Koch

editorial assistant

Whitehall-Coplay Press

Northampton Press

Catasauqua Press