Oct. 30, 2008 — With the calendar page about to turn to the Thanksgiving-through-Christmas holiday season, the Human Services Department is looking for families to adopt families with foster children.
"It's about connecting the community to children and families who are less fortunate, especially during the holidays," said Human Services spokesman Monife Stout.
How families, businesses, church groups and social organizations adopt the foster families is up to them.
"They can provide dinners or include them in their holiday celebration," Stout said.
They may also provide the fixing for dinners the foster families can cook, or deliver already-cooked dinners to the families. And, of course, when Christmas rolls around, presents are always welcome.
Between October 2007 and June 30 of this year, 101 children lived with foster families. The numbers break down to 58 on St. Thomas and St. John and 43 on St. Croix. Those children lived in 26 homes on St. Thomas and St. John, as well as one group home. On St. Croix, the foster children stayed with 34 foster families.
The reasons they're in foster care vary, but Stout said the department doesn't remove children from their families without investigating the situation.
To adopt a foster family, call 774-4393 on St. Thomas and St. John. On St. Croix, call 773-5303.
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