LANSING — State Rep. John Chirkun (D-Roseville) announced that his House Resolution 100, declaring May 2017 as Foster Care Awareness Month in the state of Michigan, was adopted by the state House of Representatives today. Chirkun and his wife, Sharon, are the parents of a grown son and daughter, and two foster sons who are now living on their own.
“There are nearly 13,000 children in our foster care system, and caring for them involves helping them while they are in foster care and when the leave the system,” said Chirkun. “Foster Care Awareness Month is a way to recognize and thank the families who provide a good home and family life to children in need of affection, love and security.”
As a foster parent, Chirkun understands firsthand the challenges and difficulties many families have to overcome to make a meaningful and positive difference in the lives of youth in foster care.
“By designating a month to foster care awareness, we can highlight foster parents, family members, volunteers, mentors, policymakers, child welfare professionals and other community members who work with these children to help them get a good start in life that will then help them be successful in the future,” said Chirkun.