Foster Parent Nights Out program seeks help from volunteers, churches

Some 500 children and teens are in foster care in the Metro Richmond region, and local churches are pitching in to give their foster parents a break.

One of the ways that churches do this is through regular Foster Parent Nights Out in Henrico, Hanover and Richmond. These “FPNOs” are a simple way for churches to spend an evening loving on kids and teens in care while foster parents get a much-needed night out to connect as a couple, get some rest, or whatever they might need to continue caring for the kids.

A full 50 percent of foster parents stop fostering after one year. Local department of social services leaders say that the top way that churches can help those parents continue fostering is through regular FPNOs. At FPNOs, one-on-one buddies are matched with each of the kids to help provide them with the loving care they deserve.

For Richmond, a nonprofit group that works to engage churches in collective effort, is seeking teens from church youth groups to serve as buddies or to run activities, as well as retirees who can serve dinner to the kids. Business leaders and owners are needed to contribute restaurant gift cards for the parents, and church spaces are needed to host FPNO's.

For Richmond will hold an informational session Oct. 24 for all those interested in exploring involvement.  The “Next Steps” meeting will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 2101 Maywill Street.

For full details and to register for the lunch, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/next-steps-foster-care-adoption-initiative-tickets-687445898187.  To learn more about For Richmond, visit https://www.forrichmond.org/issue-foster-care.