Blog

We’d like you to meet two of our Foster In Texas (FIT) parents: Marcel and Ann Perry. We think they’re amazing because of the work they do with our FIT kids. The Perrys are currently caring for six (!) teenage boys, if you can imagine it. We acknowledge that foster parenting is not an easy job, but for those families with the “right stuff” it’s more than a job, it’s a calling!

Foster parents like the Perrys want to give the children in their charge every chance in life. That often requires funding beyond the daily stipend they receive. If becoming a foster parent is a possibility in your future, we’d love to hear from you – Just go to the online application form. If not, and you admire and want to help support families like the Perrys, a donation to Foster In Texas would be a great way to show your appreciation – during National Foster Care Month and every day of the year.

Haiku

Kids with no first chance

Get a second one―because

Foster moms are there

YOU, foster moms, are a mother’s day gift from the heart! Twenty-four hours a day, you’re a source of comfort, stability, and love to children who have never known or experienced the meaning of the words. YOU are the most important part of the child’s treatment team. We are all part of this effort because we know and see for ourselves how well children can do when they have caring and reliable foster parents to help them through hard times.

A favorite column by Erma Bombeck tells of God in the act of creating mothers. On the day God created mothers He had already worked long overtime, and an angel said to Him, “Lord, you sure are spending a lot of time on this one.” God replied, “Have you read the specs on this model?” then rattles off a list of impossible requirements, including 180 moving parts and six pairs of hands, all able to run on black coffee and leftovers.

A foster mom’s specs demand even more than “standard” mother models. You must have a heart big enough to encompass other mothers’ children, and the fortitude to work through the challenges and issues that accompany their shattered pasts.

You know, if it was easy, anyone could do it. Remember, you’re not just anyone – you’re a FOSTER MOM.

On Saturday May 5^th, more than 200 foster children and their foster families celebrated Cinco de Mayo with a Fiesta in Laredo. The Laredo office of LSS Foster In Texas, Lamar Bruni Vergara Trust, Foster Angels of South Texas, and TDFPS hosted this fun event, which all happened on Laredo’s Main Street across from the Holy Redeemer Church.

View Full Album

From 10am to 4pm, fiesta-goers enjoyed food, refreshments, paletas (popsicles), face painting, fishing for prizes, musical chairs, raffles, plus games and more games. Visiting foster families also had the opportunity to get bilingual information on Foster In Texas program and other similar programs.

View Full Album

A large white canvas canopy was decorated with piñatas, zarapes and other festive Mexican decorations set the festival mood. The smiles on the faces of our 106 foster children and their families said it all!

May is the month when Lutheran Social Services, along with other agencies and child advocates across the nation, are raising awareness for the more than 400,000 American children and youth in foster care. May is the month to shine the spotlight on the unsung HEROES to these children – the foster parents who help them have the safe, happy lives they deserve.

In appreciation and recognition of the tremendous contributions of our Foster In Texas (FIT) parents, a simple “Thank-you” seems insufficient. But Foster Care Month does give us one more opportunity to let them know how very much we appreciate all they do to help these children heal and move on from the lives that led them here. Thanks to them, many formerly abused or neglected children and teens now have caring adults on their side, and permanent, lifelong connections.

Right now, LSS-FIT has an urgent need statewide for nurturing adults to step up and get involved – and support our nation’s most vulnerable children by becoming verified foster parents. We have 15 foster and adoption offices in Texas – all report they have children waiting for placement. Not only large sibling groups, medically fragile children, and teens, but also infants who need a secure place where they can thrive.

“Everyday people” are serving as foster parents. Can you, or someone you know, help these kids in crisis realize their full potential? Their own families are not in a position to care for them for a variety of reasons, none of them good. Child welfare issues arise in families of every race, ethnicity, and age group.

Of course, not everyone is in the position to fill the role of foster parent, but there are more ways to show you care. You can get involved as a volunteer, mentor, or respite provider. You can help us celebrate National Foster Care Month by donating directly to Foster In Texas, where your donations will support the special trauma-informed care training and extensive clinical support that helps our foster families avoid burnout, and experience success.

All your questions can be answered with a visit to FosterInTexas.org. Call 877-747-8110 for an information packet, or submit an interest form.

More help, more homes, are needed. Because all children deserve a hopeful future!

Did you know May is National Foster Care Awareness Month? Yes it is, and have we ever got a great foster training schedule for YOU this month…

Get ready to have a feast/fiesta of training … so grab your maracas and get going!

The first training of the month is called Getting Net Smart.  May is also Social Media month, so what better time to talk about keeping your kids safe online than now?   This month we will also be talking about preparing for the transition into summer (and I don’t mean picking out a fun swimsuit)  And speaking of summer, we are bringing back our summer Water Safety training – it’s updated and more splashy than ever!  (Oops… I meant flashy.)

We’ve also got a great line-up of trainings like Child Status Report, Trauma Informed Care, Transportation Training, and so much more – more trainings than people in a mariachi band – check out our online calendar to find out!

Remember, these webinar trainings are very affordable and can be done from the comfort of your home.  (FREE to LSS-Foster In Texas parents)  We hope you can join us! 

And Happy Cinco de Mayo too!

Maria Livingston from the Harlingen Foster In Texas office gave a presentation to the St. Paul Lutheran Church Ladies Auxiliary group last month, familiarizing the women with our mission to provide help, healing, and hope to children in crisis. She told stories of how these children are rescued from dangerous home environments after suffering neglect, abandonment, and abuse, and how their lives are changed dramatically when they are placed in loving foster homes.

Maria also described how most of the children come into foster care with just the clothes on their backs and the rest of their meager belongings stashed in garbage bags. This had quite an impact on the ladies, and following Maria’s visit, the “Friendly Quilters” from St. Paul’s decided that their next project would be to make quilted travel bags for the area’s foster children. Additionally, they plan to make some quilts to give the children something to cling to for comfort, and the dignity of having something handmade and beautiful to call their own.

Thank you St. Paul Quilters, for doing something “hands on” for our kids!

Here’s a home-run of a deal for you: You can choose from over 20 home games, in any section, and receive up to a 50% discount on your tickets for games from April 27 through September 26 (see below for schedule)*. The Rangers will donate $5 from each ticket to our Foster In Texas program. What a great double-play … you’ll be helping children in need and having fun watching the American League Champions knock the cover off the ball.

Want to go to bat for the kids? Here’s how you do it:

1. Click HERE to visit our page on the Texas Rangers website.
2. Scroll toward the bottom and enter in our password: rangerslss
3. View the schedule and click on the “T” to purchase tickets
4. Select your seats and number of tickets.
5. Enter in your credit card information on their secure form and print your tickets!

Making a donation has never been easier… or more fun! See the schedule below for available games and be sure to get your tickets early. Contact Kristy Simpson at 800-938-5777 or Kristy.Simpson@LSSS.org if you have any questions.

* Game Schedule:

Friday, April 27th vs. Rays – 7:05
Post-Game Fireworks Show

Sunday, April 29th vs. Rays – 7:05
Snapple Napoli Red Jersey (First 10,000, 13 & under)

Friday, May 11th vs. Angels – 7:05
Post-Game Fireworks Show

Sunday, May 13th vs. Angels – 7:05
JCPenney Mother’s Day Pink Retro T-Shirt (First 25,000, 14 & older)

Wednesday, May 16th vs. A’s – 7:05
Dollar Hot Dog Night, Dr. Pepper Autograph Wednesday

Saturday, May 26th vs. Blue Jays – 2:05
Casting Crowns Post-Game Concert

Wednesday, May 30th vs. Mariners – 7:05
Dollar Hot Dog Night, Dr. Pepper Autograph Wednesday

Wednesday, June 13th vs. Diamondbacks – 7:05
Dollar Hot Dog Night, Dr. Pepper Autograph Wednesday (13 & under)

Sunday, June 17th vs. Astros – 2:05
Hamilton BBQ Apron (First 25,000, 14 & older)

Sunday, June 24th vs. Rockies – 6:05
Texas Beach Towel (First 10,000, 13 & under)

Sunday, July 1st vs. A’s – 6:05

Saturday, July 7th vs. Twins – 6:15
Coca-Cola Rangers 40th Anniversary Mug (First 30,000)

Friday, July 27th vs. White Sox – 7:05
Post-Game Fireworks Show

Saturday, July 28th vs. White Sox – 7:05

Wednesday, August 1st vs. Angels – 7:05
Dollar Hot Dog Night, Dr. Pepper Autograph Wednesday (13 & under)

Friday, August 10th vs. Tigers – 7:05
Post-Game Fireworks Show

Saturday, August 25th vs. Twins – 3:05
Washington Bobblehead (First 30,000)

Sunday, August 26th vs. Twins – 2:05

Wednesday, August 29th vs. Rays – 7:05
Dollar Hot Dog Night, Dr. Pepper Autograph Wednesday (13 & under)

Wednesday, September 12th vs. Indians – 7:05
Dollar Hot Dog Night, Dr. Pepper Autograph Wednesday

Saturday, September 15th vs. Mariners – 7:05

Wednesday, September 26th vs. A’s – 7:05
Dollar Hot Dog Night, Dr. Pepper Autograph Wednesday

Keeping the kids occupied this summer just got easier! Our Caring for Kids event May 5^th, features an outstanding silent auction, and you can start the bidding online NOW. The Online Auction is jam-packed with entertainment the whole family will enjoy. Whether your idea of fun is a water park or Shakespeare in the park, there’s something for every taste and temperament. If you’re a spectator or active participant, we have tickets from A (American Airlines) to Z (the Zoo). If you’ve got game or just appreciate those who have it, you’ll find some outstanding sports memorabilia up for bid, including a Texas Rangers 2011 American League Championship ball signed by Texas legend Nolan Ryan.

Oh, the possibilities: take a trip on the Grapevine Railroad, take a dip at Schlitterbahn, or just take a nap with a handmade quilt. The ladies of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Dallas made and donated five beautiful quilts for this auction.

This is a great way to shop – not only are these items irresistible and tax deductible, every penny will go toward helping and healing the more than 250 deserving children in the Metroplex who have suffered abuse and abandonment – the children served by Nelson Children’s Ministries.

After the online auction closes, further bidding for the auction items will take place at the Caring for Kids fundraiser May 5^th at the American Airlines C. R. Smith Museum in Fort Worth. [Note: We can bid on your behalf at the event through absentee bidding when you give us your maximum bid amount. Email Kristy.Simpson@lsss.org  for specifics.]

About the Caring for Kids Event:

Saturday, May 5, 2012

American Airlines C. R. Smith Museum, 4601 Texas Highway 360 at FAA Road, Fort Worth, Texas

Cocktails & silent auction: 6:00 p.m.

Dinner & live auction: 7:00 p.m.

Other: Visitors can take a flight through aviation history with interactive exhibits at the museum, including a flight lab and flight simulator

Individual reservation: $50

The Harlingen Foster In Texas office was the grateful recipient of baskets full of Easter blessings when the Brownsville Junior Service League (BJSL) donated 75 baskets for our Harlingen-area foster children. Under the direction of BJSL president Celeste Paschall and Easter basket committee chair Miriam Lette, BJSL members and volunteers prepare Easter baskets every year for organizations in the community. FIT-Harlingen area director Maria Luisa Livingston coordinated with the group, and the baskets were distributed in time for Easter. Thanks so much to BJSl for making our foster children feel eggstra special this Easter!

Oh, the possibilities this month! Hair Care for African-American Children, Understanding Autism, Life After Foster Care, and so much more. Check out our April calendar to see what’s available, then plan to train around your own schedule in the comfort of your own home. No babysitter necessary! You could earn 14 training hours in April alone.

All LIVE webinar training is FREE to LSS FIT foster parents, and offered at a minimal cost to all others ($6/hour/person). Convenient day and evening times make meeting state-mandated training hours as convenient and enjoyable as possible. Our professional trainers teach specific topics in their areas of expertise.

Find additional info at www.fosterintexas.org. Happy training!