ABOUT US
About Foster Kids Are Our Kids
The nation's perception of the foster care system can be summed up with one image - a sullen child clutching a garbage bag stuffed with personal items, sitting on a porch, waiting to be transported to the next placement. Child welfare and child/family advocacy leaders in Illinois think this image not only can change, it must change.
The result is the Foster Kids Are Our Kids social marketing campaign designed to significantly boost support for the services Illinois private child welfare agencies provide for children in Illinois state care. This will be accomplished by promoting a broader, richer, and more widely shared understanding in Illinois about community responsibility and community assets that must be committed on behalf of children and families in the foster care system.
This groundbreaking effort is crucial to the full and healthy development of children who, through no fault of their own, are living out of their homes and often, out of their communities of origin. The public's role does not end with the critical decision to give the state custody of an abused and/or neglected child. Rather, this Campaign marks the beginning of a community's deeper responsibility to support these children and their caregivers.
Together with Voices for Illinois Children and over 60 private child welfare agencies across Illinois - we seek to change perceptions, send a different message, and challenge the public to see themselves contributing to the lives of these children.
The first message, "Don't Write Me Off" is anchored by a professionally produced commercial aired on WGN-TV. WGN-TV will aired monthly news segments about successful community programs supporting foster youth in their schools, homes and neighborhoods. The second message, "We're Making Foster Care Better" is once again supported by WGN-TV. Campaign resources include a Web site, www.fosterkidsareourkids.org, -- a toll-free call center 888-4 R KIDS 2 (888-475-4372) or En Español (888) NIÑOS 08, print materials, and training support to child welfare agencies for the campaign.
Overall the campaign is designed to deliver a united, well-researched core message and challenge generous, caring individuals to support their local community child welfare agencies - perhaps as donors, board members, tutors, volunteers, and/or foster parents.
The bottom line is that one individual can make a significant difference in the life of a child. Community members must work hand in hand with private child welfare agencies in Illinois to ensure that children and families involved with child welfare agencies are nurtured and included, not hidden, ignored and forgotten.
To find out more, please click on the "contact us" link in this website or call toll-free 1-888-4 R KIDS 2.
Design by Better World Advertising.
