Waynesboro non -profit emphasizes urgent needs during the month of care

Waynesboro, va. (WHSV) – As May marks the national care night, non -profit foster foster Love Ministries collects alarms about a nursing crisis that affects the municipalities throughout Shenandoah valley.

According to the Ministry of Social Services in Virginia, 162 children in the Staunton-Augusta-Waynesboro region were included in nursing homes in April alone. Many of these children were placed outside of their home communities, not because of security concerns, but due to a serious lack of local nursing homes, according to the non -profit organization.

“You will be expelled to other places Richmond, Roanoke or Chesapake and are unable to stay in your community,” said Jennifer Eccles, co-founder and CEO of Foster Love Ministries. “This is devastating, not only for this biological family that tries to work on reunification, but also children from their school system and their support networks.”

Foster Love Ministry, based in Waynesboro, supports children in care, caregivers and endangered families. Your signature initiative, the Journey BAG program, delivers essential objects such as hygiene products, clothing and magazines to children who were removed from their houses during emergencies.

The organization also works with local social authorities to prevent family separations. Through his contact and prevention efforts, Foster Love Ministry fulfills the basic budget needs, from cleaning from supplies to beds, for families who were identified as the risk of losing custody of their children.

“Our prevention program responds to inquiries from the social services department in order to meet the tangible needs in real time,” said Eccles. “Sometimes it's just a cot or a number of foods that keep a family intact.”

In June, the non -profit organization Careportal in Harrisonburg and Rockingham County will launch. The online platform combines churches and parishioners with the real-time inquiries from DSS in order to meet urgent needs for families and children.

“This technology bridges the gap between DSS and local churches, companies and individuals and makes it easier to meet needs such as beds, food or car seats,” said Eccles.

While the funding remains a crucial need, Eccles said that not everyone is called for care – but everyone can help.

“You don't have to be perfect to be a foster parents. You just have to be ready,” she said. “And even if you cannot promote, you can still do something. Pack a trip, join a first answering team, donate or register voluntarily.”

The organization is currently out of several important objects, including 2T and 3T Boy Journey Bags, extra-large clothing for adults for young girls and toilet articles such as toothbrushes and shampoo. Donations can be carried out via the group's Amazon wish list.

In order to sharpen the awareness and commitment of the community, Foster Love Ministries organizes an outreach event on Saturday in bottles in Waynesboro from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

You can find more information about the organization or donations on the website.

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