Project Empowerment to Benefit Foster Children

The Stokes County Foster Parent Association initiated Project Empowerment in February 2008. Through their ongoing efforts, the Association has raised funds through bake sales, selling raffle tickets, holding special events, and soliciting donations to provide basic needs and cultural opportunities for more than 100 children in the custody of Stokes County Department of Social Services. The Stokes County Foster Parent Association is a nonprofit entity and all work is completed on a volunteer basis. No one in the Association receives any type wages for the hours they devote to the cause.

Children enter foster care for a variety of reasons including abuse, neglect and dependency. What Project Empowerment does is provide a means to help with emergency clothing needs, suitcases, tutoring, and the ability to participate in school and community events. The group continually strives to work in partnership with local agencies to increase public awareness and financial donations to help children in foster care. Often times, a child may enter care with just the clothing they have on. If there is not a suitcase available, a child may see their belongings transported in garbage bags.

Many times the child is unfamiliar with activities in their new homes. For example one eight year old little girl had never been to the mall and did not know what an escalator was; a seven year old little boy had never been to McDonalds and did not know what a Happy Meal was, and another ten year old little boy had no idea how to read because it had never been a priority in his home. Then there are the physical abuse situations where a child may have bruises and broken bones; for instance an infant with a broken pelvis and arm, or a failure to thrive child who has just never been fed on a regular basis. There are endless stories that can be told. Each child has a totally separate situation and comes with their own individual needs.

Project Empowerment provides funding for helping children who may have never been helped before. All children deserve equal opportunity and through providing for basic, educational, cultural, therapeutic and recreational needs, Project Empowerment will create a brighter future for our children and community. To assist Project Empowerment, you may contact the Stokes County Foster Parent Association at PO Box 1004 Rural Hall NC 27045.