A recent holiday concert led to donations of more than 100 toys for the Summit County Children Services (SCCS) Toy Room.
The event, “An Evening of Christmas Inspiration” holiday concert, was coordinated by former Cleveland news anchor, Akron Beacon Journal columnist and Broadcaster Hall of Fame inductee Robin Swoboda and Christian recording artist Renee Welsch to help raise awareness of the need for foster parents in Summit County.
“Summit County Children Services has approximately 150 foster homes. With over 800 children in care, the need for foster and foster-to-adopt families continues to grow,” said SCCS Executive Director Julie Barnes.
As a current SCCS foster parent, Welsch said her mission is to work with SCCS to help children find permanency. “Not everyone is called to foster or adopt, but we can all do something,” Welsch said. “There are too many children waiting and hoping to be adopted. We just have to keep spreading the word.”
Almost 170 children are in the permanent custody of SCCS, many of whom do not have an identified adoptive family. Individuals interested in fostering must be 21 years or older. Foster and foster-to-adopt parents can be married, single, widowed or divorced; have or not have children of their own; be a renter or homeowner; and be employed or a stay-at-home parent as long as income adequately meets household needs.
“I believe that the people of Summit County care deeply about kids in foster care, and if they know what they can do to help, they’ll step up and do it! Friday night’s response confirmed that for me once again,” Welsch said.
To learn more about foster care and adoption, call (330)-379-1990 or email [email protected].
