Oklahoma Nonprofit Teams Up With DHS to Bring Holiday Cheer to Foster Kids

The Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy is on a mission to ensure that children in foster care receive holiday gifts this season. Partnering with the state Department of Human Services (DHS), the organization is seeking donations to provide $150 gift cards for foster parents to purchase gifts for children in state custody. With a deadline of December 22, the initiative aims to bring joy to nearly 6,000 children in Oklahoma’s foster care system.

Key Takeaways

The Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy is collaborating with DHS to provide holiday gifts for foster children.
Each child in state custody will receive a $150 gift card for foster parents to buy gifts.
The organization is short by about 20 gift cards and is seeking donations before the December 22 deadline.
Remaining funds will be used for backpacks and school supplies for foster children next summer.

The Importance of Holiday Gifts for Foster Children

For many children in foster care, the holiday season can be a particularly challenging time. Joe Dorman, CEO of the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy, emphasizes the emotional toll that being placed in foster care can take on a child. He states, "Unless somebody has actually been in foster care themselves and endured that traumatic experience of being removed from home, you cannot imagine what it’s like. These kids are going through the worst experience of their life, and for some of them, it’s right before the holidays."

How the Program Works

The program operates as follows:

Gift Card Distribution: DHS provides $150 gift cards for each child in state custody to foster parents.
Additional Support: The Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy is working to secure an extra 200 gift cards this year to ensure every child has a gift to open on Christmas morning.
Donation Process: Donations can be made through the organization’s website, with a focus on meeting the December 22 deadline.
Future Initiatives: Any remaining funds after the holiday season will be allocated for purchasing backpacks and school supplies for foster children in the upcoming summer.

How to Help

Community members interested in supporting this initiative can contribute by donating gift cards or funds. The goal is to ensure that every child in foster care has a gift to open during the holiday season, providing them with a sense of normalcy and joy during a difficult time.

This partnership between the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy and DHS highlights the importance of community involvement in supporting vulnerable children. By coming together, Oklahomans can make a significant impact on the lives of foster children, ensuring they feel loved and remembered during the holidays.