Faith Foster Families Network will host “Food, Facts and Film” on Oct. 5, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Holman United Methodist Church, 3320 W. Adams Blvd., in Los Angeles.
According to Nancy Harris, FFFN executive director, the free event will focus on enlightening the community about foster care and the child welfare system. In addition to food stations and information, the program will feature a screening of the HBO documentary, “Foster.” Following the screening, a panel discussion will take place that includes two of the main individuals in the film. The producer is scheduled to participate as well.
“We want people to know about the foster care system and consider becoming a foster parent or lending support to the thousands of children of color assigned to the county’s Department of Children and Family Services,” said Harris, who noted that 71% of foster children from South L.A. are placed in homes outside of the area.
“In 2017, more than 1,400 kids were removed from our area because we only have 249 DCFS-approved homes in South L.A. Through this event, we hope to encourage more South L.A. residents to join our efforts to help our children remain in the neighborhoods that they are familiar with,” added Harris, a member of Holman United Methodist Church.
FFFN is comprised of six churches and faith based organizations. The members are Holman Community Development Corporation, the Biddy Mason Charitable Foundation of First AME Church, and West Angeles CDC, all in Los Angeles, along with the Center of Hope in Inglewood, the City of Refuge in Gardena and Crossroads United Methodist Church in Compton. The group’s goal is to sustain a faith collaborative that provide resources, education, activities and advocacy for foster families and youth.
“This event is about treating our kids with dignity and giving them love and a safe home,” Harris said. “However, it is especially important to believers because according to James 1:27, we are called by God to take care of orphans and widows.”
To learn more, call Nancy Harris at (323) 591-7900 or Jennifer Blannon at (323) 703-5868.
