WS Chronicle

TEVIN STINSON

THE CHRONICLE 

According to a recent article published in the The Carolina Journal, on average children in the North Carolina foster system are moved three times per year. Last week members of United Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church did their part to make the move a little easier for local children in foster care when the Active Adult Ministry donated 50 duffle bags to the Fostering Families Resource Center. 

The idea for the donation was brought to UMMBC’s Active Adult Ministry by member Claudia Turner. Turner said she presented the idea to the group by posing a simple questionL “Did you know that when foster kids move from family to family, many of them have to drag their personal belongings behind them in a trash bag?” she asked the group. Turner said that image of children dragging their clothes and other belongings stuck with the group and they decided to do something about it. 

Not long thereafter the group met with representatives from Forsyth County Department of Social Services, who connected the group with Fostering Families Resource Center, a local organization that supports the needs of foster children, their families and welfare agencies across northwest North Carolina. 

Once they worked out all the logistics, Turner said they started planning to just donate a few bags. As time went on the number continued to grow as donations continued to come in. “Things started out slow but as more and more people found out about the project, things started to pick up and before we knew it we had 50 bags,” Turner said. Along with the bags they were also able to purchase name tags for each bag, as well as personal items. 

Christa Smith, director of Forsyth County Department of Social Services, thanked UMMBC’s Active Adult Ministry for their thoughtful donation. Smith said they may seem like simple bags but for the children in foster care, they mean so much more. 

“Far too often when foster youth have to move from one placement to another, they do carry their belongings in trash bags. It’s a heartbreaking image and an even more heartbreaking experience,” Smith continued. 

“Today, thanks to your generosity, we’re able to send them a different message –  one of dignity, care and compassion. These bags are a symbol that somebody sees them, values them, and believes that they are worth more. Your gift will remind our youth that they are not forgotten and our community stands behind them. 

UMMBC’s Active Adult Ministry is looking to grow their partnership with the Forsyth County Department of Social Services and Fostering Families Resource Center. They are also looking to partner with other churches and nonprofits on the project. For more information on how to get involved, contact Claudia Turner at 336-745-1073.