According to the state, there are more than 9,600 kids in foster care in Oklahoma and heading back to school can be a big cost for foster families.
“Sometimes they come with some things and sometimes they come with nothing and a lot of times just the way our system works you have to supply things on your own and it can be a financial hardship,” says Sarah Stitt, First lady of Oklahoma.
Stitt is raising awareness for the hardships foster families face as they send their kids back to school.
Her latest initiative is a movie night and school supply party in both Tulsa and Oklahoma City.
“You know when you have children, whether you have one or six you begin to look at the world through their eyes and so everything that affects your children affects you. As a mom, when I hear these stories about some of these sweet children that have been through so much it breaks your heart.” Says Stitt.
The back to school night will include free haircuts--backpacks and supplies for every child-- and will connect families to resources.
It's also a chance for foster parents and kids to connect with other foster families.
Stitt tells us she hopes it shows these families how much the community supports them.
She also encourages others to volunteer their time.
“But we need more and so as a community whether you can foster or not we need to offer the support to those families.” Says Stitt.
The event is at the Guthrie Green on August 16 at 7 p.m.
The movie will be ‘Mary Poppins Returns’.
You can RSVP by clicking here.
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