Fall 2024
Happy Fall, Y’all. Fostering Hope is delighted to introduce the 2024-2025 FH Teen Board. 40 bright, committed (and adorable ) teens attended our meet-and-greet on September 9th. After "Mojos Food Truck" dinner under the Hoos Pediatric porte-cochere and a welcome by Executive Director Annie Czaruk, our veteran members gave facility tours. Ice Breaker Games rounded out the first meeting of the year.
Teens from Fort Gibson, Hilldale, Muskogee, Oktaha, homeschool, and Sallisaw have joined together to improve the lives of foster children.
Teens from Fort Gibson, Hilldale, Muskogee, Oktaha, homeschool, and Sallisaw
have joined together to improve the lives of foster children.
Teens Tackle Foster Care
Hilldale senior Gabriella Huerta is a second-year FH teen board member. As a service project, Gabby is hosting a baby clothing drive throughout the Muskogee and Fort Gibson area. Ten different locations are accepting donations of needed baby clothes and supplies.
Community Corner
Three cheers to our community sponsors, the Rotary Club and the Exchange Club, for supporting our mission. You both make a difference, and we appreciate you!
Fostering Hope News
Check out some of the most recent numbers!
Volunteer Spotlight
1. Can you share a little about yourself and how you got involved with Fostering Hope?
We love Fostering Hope and everything that they do! Phan has worked with the Department of Human Services for close to 15 years working in Child Welfare, and Jessica has been involved with CASA for a season. Our kiddos love volunteering in the Hope House, making gifts and birthday bags for the kiddos in care.
2. What inspired you to support Fostering Hope and its mission?
We have personally seen and felt the love and benefits of the Hope House with Fostering Hope. They have the love and passion they have for kiddos, and their care truly fits every part of our mission. We want to encourage and support them as much as possible to continue doing the amazing work they are doing.
3. Can you tell us about a memorable moment or impact story from your time with Fostering Hope?
Hearing the stories shared by Fostering Hope about how they were able to provide a shower and clean clothes to kids who need them. They are also welcoming with toys and a home-like feel rather than waiting in the DHS office.
4. What do you find most rewarding about your work or volunteer efforts with Fostering Hope?
We are just honored to be able to help an organization that is doing so much good. Not just for our community, but for so many out there and the love they have for the kiddos in care! We love being able to extend our love by helping make birthday gifts and welcome bags for the kids.
5. How do you balance your personal life with your commitment to helping others?
We love helping the community together as a family. We want to instill in our kids what it looks like to love our community. Family time is a big thing to us, so doing them together helps us balance personal life with helping others.
6. If you could change one thing about the foster care system, what would it be?
I would love to have more churches engaged in support of the families and children in care. Also, maybe more awareness about the need to support and families for fostering and adopting.
7. What would you like to share with someone considering volunteering or supporting Fostering Hope?
We truly believe that there is always a role in helping our kids in care, even if you don’t feel called to foster or adopt yourself. Many of the other avenues are providing respite, praying for the families, volunteering for organizations that support kiddos in care sure as Fostering Hope, and more!
8. What’s one fun fact about yourself that not many people know?
Many people may not know, but Phan and I fostered 9 kiddos before we had our own.
Thank you, Nguyen family, for your continued support. Visit their storefront and coffee shop at 109 N Main Street.
Fostering Hope Heroes
Cristin Shelby recently stopped by with her brother, John O'Connor. John and his family live near Tulsa and have been fostering a student from his wife's preschool class. Talk about a full-circle moment; Cristin has been a member of the Fostering Hope board and actively involved for five years, but giving this child a bag packed with essentials and love makes it even sweeter.
