Community members are encouraged to attend and learn how to help the nearly 800 local children and teens in foster care.
VENTURA COUNTY — Foster VC Kids, a program of Ventura County’s Children and Family Services, will host a free, informational meeting in Spanish on Saturday, June 30 from 10am to 11:30am at the Consulate of Mexico in Oxnard, 3151 West 5th Street in the Aurora Room. Community members interested in helping local children and teens are encouraged to attend and learn more about the urgent need for Ventura County homes to support youth in care. An inspirational panel of former foster youth and caregivers will share their personal stories and answer questions about foster care in Ventura County.
When asked, `what does family mean to you?’, local foster mom and Peer Partner Educator Sonia Correa answered, “We’ve had 17 children in our home and it’s been the biggest joy. The kids will impact your life, they will humble you, they will show you how to love in ways you never imagined.” Natalie Torres, another local mother who has fostered 70 youth says, “Initially family to me meant my husband, myself and my kids… it’s community. Family is community. All the children I’ve cared for, their parents… it all becomes bigger and more beautiful.”
Correa is among the panelists who will share their personal stories and answer questions, along with foster alumni Lucy who will give her perspective about being separated from her siblings while in care. Those interested in fostering, adopting or mentoring can learn more by viewing the 26-minute online information session at www.fostervckids.org, calling Ana Navrarro at 805-654-3204 or attending the June 30 Spanish informational.
Ana Navarro, Resource Family & Community Development Coordinator for Foster VC Kids explains, “More homes are urgently needed, especially Spanish-speaking families in the cities of Ventura and Oxnard. Children and youth really thrive when they’re in loving, stable homes with caring adults who can share family traditions and culture.”
Foster VC Kids works to protect these children by ensuring they are placed with fostering and kinship families who have the support and resources to provide safety, permanency and quality care. Extensive training and support services (including medical and dental care) are available to ensure caregivers have the resources to nurture, protect and care for local youth in need.
Spanish informational meeting:
- Who: Open to all community members interested in helping local foster children and youth
- When: Saturday, June 30, from 10am – 11:30am
- Where: Consulate of Mexico in Oxnard, 3151 West 5th Street, Sala Aurora
- Questions: www.fostervckids.org or call 805-654-3204
About Foster VC Kids, a program of Ventura County’s Children and Family Services: Recognized as a best practices leader statewide in the family recruitment and support component of child welfare, Foster VC Kids provides resource families with ongoing support services, trauma-informed training, and mentorship to enhance the safety, permanency and well-being of Ventura County’s youth and families. Learn how Foster VC Kids is making a difference throughout Ventura County, www.fostervckids.org