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National Foster Care Awareness Month is Time for Americans to Help Children Live, Be Safe & Blossom

As part of National Foster Care Awareness Month, which lasts throughout the month of May, the 125-year-old national children's crisis charity KidsPeace and many other nonprofit organizations are calling on good-hearted Americans with love to spare to consider becoming foster parents for a child in need.

Across the nation, the need for foster homes is rapidly increasing as more and more children need temporary or permanent alternatives because of abuse, neglect, or other family crises. More than 600,000 children nationwide currently need foster homes, but the number of foster homes falls short of meeting the need. A supportive, caring foster family can give them a sanctuary where they can be safe, can heal from their emotional scars, and can experience a sense of home and family they may never have had before. The face of foster care is changing, with older children, youngsters with disabilities, and kids who not only need a loving home but help to overcome crises such as abuse.

"The shortage of foster homes across the nation leaves more and more children deprived of the tender loving care that every child needs and deserves," said Dr. Lorrie Henderson, KidsPeace Acting President. "If more Americans get involved we can all make sure that every child who needs a second chance at happiness can get one."

KidsPeace has helped place more than 25,000 children in foster and adoptive homes and has 65 centers around the country, 40 of which are dedicated to helping foster and adoptive children. To learn more about foster care and adoption, or find events in your area, go to www.kidspeace.org , www.fostercare.com , or www.fostercaremonth.org .

About National Foster Care Awareness Month

National Foster Care Awareness Month seeks to raise awareness about the magnitude of the issue and the urgent and sustaining needs of children and older youth in foster care and their families; Issue a national call to action that motivates, inspires and facilitates many more Americans to come forward and help change a lifetime for a young person in foster care; and, develop a positive framework for maintaining visibility and interest in the foster care issue to support the year-round efforts of the National Foster Care Month Partner organizations and other child welfare agencies. National Foster Care Month also gives provides an opportunity for acknowledging the thousands of dedicated foster families and other caring individuals and organizations who are already supporting these young people.

KidsPeace is a 125-year-old national children's crisis charity dedicated to giving hope, help, and healing to children facing crisis. KidsPeace directly helps thousands of children a day with life-saving treatment to overcome the crises of growing up. Supported by VIP leaders, including its national spokesperson and founder of the Memory Foundation Leeza Gibbons, child safety and self-esteem icon RETRO BILL, and national educational organizations including Empire Education Group, KidsPeace helps millions more each year through prevention and awareness programs designed to help America's kids and parents avoid and overcome the kinds of crises that can affect any child -- from disasters and personal traumas to family issues and neglect. KidsPeace was named "The Outstanding Organization" of its kind in the country by the American Association of Psychiatric Services for Children and was called "a prototype of what we need for all children everywhere" by the late, nationally renowned child and family expert, Dr. Lee Salk.

     Media Interviews:  Mark Stubis, Vice President
                        800-25-PEACE
                        mstubis@kidspeace.org

SOURCE KidsPeace