AUSTINTOWN, Ohio – When children need foster care in northeastern Ohio, finding a placement can be difficult, according to the National Youth Advocate Program.
Capacity in Trumbull, Mahoning, Summit, Stark, Medina and Portage counties is tight, which can lead to more children being placed in temporary environments and further away from their communities, the organization said in a news release.
“Right now, we are seeing children stay overnight in offices, group homes and residential centers simply because there are not enough foster homes available,” said Courtney Townsend of NYAP. “These settings were never meant to replace home.”
NYAP is working to raise community awareness and is hosting a six-county Art Swap Tour, a community engagement initiative. The first event will be held from 1:30-3:30 p.m. March 28 at the Austintown Public Library.
The Art Swap encourages collaborative art creation, which reinforces the message that “everybody is a footprint in a child’s life,” including caregivers, mentors and advocates. It encourages families to recognize the need to support children, even through short-term respite, emergency placement and longer-term foster care.
Participants at the event will learn more about roles they can play in supporting children, while contributing to art pieces that will be done collaboratively.
Participants will start an art piece with provided supplies. Every five to seven minutes, they will pass their artwork to the right. At the end of the event, each participant will take home the final piece they helped create.
Register HERE for the adults-only event, which will be held in collaboration with Yakundi, a faith-based organization dedicated to uplifting mothers through resources and supportive care.