Emily Easton is a Recruitment Coordinator for Four Oaks Foster & Adoptive Family Connections, a job she has held for three years. Four Oaks, among other things, recruits, educates, and works to retain foster families for the good of thousands of Iowa children who need foster care in any given year.
There are a great variety of reasons that children require foster services. None of them are good. The top four reasons include neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and/or emotional maltreatment. The goal of their programs is to protect children while also trying to keep kids with their family, friends, or amongst existing community relationships.
Easton shared that there is a great need for additional foster families to step forward because there are more children in need than there are foster families to assist. The age of children who require fostering ranges from newborns to teenagers. The greatest need is for families willing to take in teenagers.
According to JCFS Chicago, a foster care home, whether with a single parent or couple, affords a child the opportunity to develop healthy emotional intimacy, trust, self-esteem, and the opportunity to learn valuable life skills. A foster parent's most important role for the duration of the child's stay is to be that of a teacher and/or mentor.
If you, or someone you know might have an interest in learning more about what fostering looks like, you are encouraged to visit the website www.iowafosterandadoption.org. You can speak to Emily or others at Four Oaks and attend no obligation seminars. There are many ways to learn whether this is a service that might be calling to you.
The Rotary Club of West Polk County would like to share our sincere gratitude to Emily Easton (pictured above R w/Brian Buethe) for her visit and presentation.