Come for a Walk, Leave with a Mission

April 24, 2024

Port St. Lucie –

Communities Connected for Kids will launch its #25by2025 foster-parent recruitment campaign this Saturday during the Third Annual 1K for Kids & Story Stroll.

The goal of the campaign is to add 25 foster homes by January 1, 2025 - a mission in which we encourage the entire community to join.

"We have a lot of activities lined up for the 1K," said Christina Kaiser, community relations director for Communities Connected for Kids, the organization that oversees the child-welfare system in Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee and St. Lucie counties.

Those activities include face-painting for children, an interactive story stroll around Port St. Lucie's Hillmoor Lake and a series of celebration stations where the community can learn how to get more involved.

For example, we have a station set up for anyone who wants to celebrate National Child Abuse Prevention Month by joining our #ManicureMovement, and another set up for those who want to help us celebrate the reunification of children with their families, Kaiser said.

"Best of all, our caregiver support staff will be there to celebrate our foster families and to unveil the campaign's Starfish Society," said Kaiser, adding that the society is a group of people who commit to a higher level of involvement.

It all starts Saturday, April 27, at Hillmoor Lake Park, in Port St. Lucie. Come anytime from 9 a.m. to noon. No registration is necessary. Our recruitment agencies - Camelot Community Care, 4Kids of the Treasure Coast and Cayuga Centers - will be on hand to talk to anyone interested in becoming foster parents.