HELP ONE CHILD MISSION TO CHILDREN AT RISK

Educating Families and the Community: 12 Parent Training and Seminars led to 413 parents in attendance. In this last fiscal year we presented to the community 17 times totaling 233 hours of education! We know that 40% of kids in foster care have three or more placements, and by equipping Adoptive, Foster, and Kinship parents to better care for their children we make a tremendous impact in combating that statistic. Foster (Resource) Parents are less likely to initiate placement disruption when they are equipped with education surrounding behavioral challenges and a supportive community of people who understand the unique experience of a foster parent. Each month we host trainings for caregivers to be educated on things such as trauma, attachment, and other adoption-related issues. In addition to those monthly trainings found virtually, we host in-person seminars around the bay area allowing families to go further in-depth in their understanding of the issues affecting their children. And because we know these caregivers can't do it alone, we equip the supportive communities around them. We raise awareness of foster care and who it impacts. We work diligently to break down stereotypes and to push people's understanding of those engaging with the foster care system, and build a foundation of knowledge around trauma and its effects on a developing brain. With understanding individuals can then support the children and families in a more sustainable and meaningful way. (exp class 200+400)

Cultivating Community: Currently we offer 13 parent connection groups around the Bay Area, virtually, and two in the greater Sacramento area. Attended by 974 adults, these parents benefited from this critical program last fiscal year. Our groups offer a supportive community of people who understand the unique experience of a foster parent. Many attendees credit these groups as being their life-line and greatest source of encouragement. Listen to Adoptive Mom K's experience "Help One Child and its community really helped. We found a place that helped us feel normal and started to formulate what our new normal was. Openness and trust are natural among those that have shared in the same struggle; this was huge in letting our guard down." In addition to our caregiver gatherings we also offer our network of families Respite Events. This provides youth a chance to connect with peers while providing a meaningful volunteer opportunity and caregivers with a few hours of respite. At our seven respite events last fiscal year, 162 youth attended. And these two programs deployed a collective 3,918 hours of volunteer work. (exp class 300)