FAIRLEA W.Va. (WVDN) – The past weekend was kicked off on Friday at the Cecil Underwood Building at The West Virginia State Fair, by the Children’s Home Society’s 16th Annual Fundraiser event. A lot of work and love goes into making the night enjoyable and fun for all but moreover, to raise funds to support the children in foster care and the programs that help them succeed in life. Hundreds of supporters enjoyed a social hour, reception and silent auction that raised much-needed funds for the children and operations. A huge thank you to the board of directors, CEO Mary White and the incredible staff who put together a fantastic evening for all.
The board of directors and all of the staff work tirelessly to supply every child with every imaginable tool of success possible, to attain a meaningful life. Something so important yet barely recognized is how a stable home and loving family, eludes the best of us. Our children are the best of us.
Some statistics found online state that West Virginia has approximately 6,000 children in foster care at any given time. The children range in age from infants to 21 years old, with the average age being 9 years old. There are slightly more boys than girls in foster care.
Children and teens enter foster care when their family is experiencing a crisis, and foster care gives the family an opportunity to resolve the conflicts or problems that lead to foster care. Youth who have experienced abuse, or neglect or are deemed unsafe to remain in the home by the courts are placed in foster homes. Foster care is a temporary arrangement that gives the youth’s family an opportunity to learn healthy skills so they can safely return home. On average, more than half of all children and teens entering foster care return to their birth family within a year.
To be exact, in West Virginia, 5,991 youth are in foster care as of June 30, 2024. According to the West Virginia Department of Human Services, 31.15% are 13-17 years old. This is the lowest number of youth in West Virginia foster care since 2017. Despite the decreasing number of children in foster care, foster families are still desperately needed. So, whether you’re single, married, young, older, identify as straight or LGBTQIA+, live in the city or the country, you can make an incredible impact as a foster parent.
The mission statement and vision of the Children’s Home Society found on their website states: “From the beginning, our mission has been to promote the well-being of all West Virginia children. While the challenges facing our state have evolved greatly since our founding in 1896, the need to find safe and loving homes for kids in West Virginia has not diminished. In fact, at this moment, there are more families in crisis and more kids in need of the security of a stable home than ever before. By collaborating closely with other organizations and institutions across the state, we’re working to ensure that every child in West Virginia grows up in a reliable and nurturing family and that all families are equipped with the tools and support they need to see their children succeed.
“The future that we envision is one in which all kids have a safe place to rest their heads at night and a family eager to greet them when they climb out of bed in the morning; a future in which families are whole and kids are free to dream without feeling afraid. To make this happen, though, we need to help West Virginia families and communities grow stronger, too. Families must be supported by their communities, and communities must be rich with economic, educational, and social opportunities for every one of its members. To create this future, individuals and organizations from diverse spheres of life (agencies, state governmental partners, concerned citizens, faith-based groups, and other advocates) must act, and act together—because West Virginia children will thrive when we all do. We’re confident, though, that the tools and resources we need to care for every child do exist. It’s just a matter of bringing them all together—and you can help. By donating today, you can help us create spaces of belonging and circles of support around kids, map out brighter futures, and transform worlds. Make a difference in a child’s life now.”
There is an office located in Fairlea, next to the BJ’S Laundromat; 9579 Seneca Trail S. in Lewisburg, where you can drop off any household items or donations for the children who age out of services, and will be used to furnish and supply their own new homes. Monetary donations to CHS may be made via credit card online through Network for Good or PayPal. These sites accept Visa, Master Card, American Express, and Discover and will forward your gift directly to CHS. A mailing address can be Children’s Home Society of West Virginia, PO Box 2942 Charleston, WV 25330. Visit their website to donate at https://childhswv.org/donate. Call the local office at (304) 647-3430 or email at twhite@childhswv.org
