Helping hands: Learn about becoming a foster parent during Spikes opening night
Let’s play ball for a cause! Your State College Spikes are sharing their opening night with us in an effort to raise awareness about the need for foster parents.
May is designated as National Foster Care Month in the United States, a time to raise awareness and promote efforts of child welfare agencies working together to support families and children.
Bethany Christian Services seeks to empower our neighbors to action! We invite you to enjoy baseball — the greatest American pastime — with the whole family on June 6 and learn more about how you can protect children and support families living in your community.
At Bethany Christian Services, our heart beats for family. We believe that foster care is one of the greatest ways to show love and care to a child and teach a child how to connect to a family.
Have you ever wondered if you could qualify as a foster parent? Today’s foster parents are as diverse as the children who are waiting for them. The primary requirement for foster parents is the ability to make a permanent commitment to provide love and security to a child.
You don’t have to be “well off” financially to provide foster care.
You don’t have to own your own home or have a separate bedroom for each child.
You can foster as a single, divorced, widowed, married or partnering parent.
It definitely helps to have a supportive network of friends and family!
In short, agencies are not looking for perfect people. They are looking for loving, secure people with the flexibility and maturity to take on the commitment of caring for a child.
According to the most recent federal data, there are currently close to 400,000 children in foster care in the United States. They range in age from infants to 21 years old. The average age of a child in foster care is more than 8 years old, and there are slightly more boys than girls.
What is the process for becoming a foster parent through Bethany?
Attend a free virtual orientation meeting hosted by your local Bethany
Complete the certification process and specialized foster care training from Bethany staff
Receive your first foster placement and welcome a child or children into your home
Find out more at bethany.org/resources/how-to-become-a-foster-parent.
We are here for you! With over 75 years of experience, Bethany understands the complexities of foster care, both legally and emotionally, and carefully guides resource parents through every step of the process.
These kids in your community need you! Stop by our Bethany resource table at the June 6 Spikes game and our lineup of great staff can get you started on this journey. Let’s hit this out of the park together!