KC Kansas Angels is forming in the area to help foster parents and children.
The group is currently raising funds for a launch in 2019 as a chapter of the National Angels.
The group provides community support for children in foster care, as well as for foster parents, with emphasis on giving, relationship building and mentorship.
Through the program, volunteers are matched with children in foster care and their families. The volunteers meet everyday needs while building relationships with the family they serve each month. The goal is for the parents to feel support and for the children to gain a sense of belonging and self-confidence.
There is also a one-on-one mentorship program for volunteers to be advocates and role models for foster care youth ages 15-21 who have aged out of the system, or who are at risk.
“We want to form positive relationships with foster families, foster children and foster organizations in our community – these relationships will benefit those inside and outside the foster care community,” said Judy Temaat, president of the KC Kansas Angels. “We can all do ‘something’ to make a difference and we want to change the foster care program in our community.”
Melissa Haehl, who is working with the KC Kansas Angels, said many foster parents find that foster care is isolating. This program will reach out to foster parents to connect them with people in the community.
She said the idea for the local group came from foster parents here who did not know each other and had heard of the Austin Angels. They reached out to Susan Ramirez, founder of the group, who connected them. The KC Kansas Angels will include foster parents and children from Wyandotte, Atchison, Douglas, Johnson and Leavenworth counties.
So far there are more than 20 individual chapters in the National Angels, she added.
The local group is currently raising funds, which will send board members to training and cover insurance costs, she said.
For more information about the program, visit https://www.flipcause.com/secure/cause_pdetails/NDU2NzU=.