Child advocates, supporters and others are gathering on behalf of foster children. The 2nd Annual Children First Candlelight Vigil takes place Tuesday afternoon.
Susie Weller is executive director at Children First. She says there are nearly 300 children in foster care in Athens-Clarke and Oconee counties, with most of those in Clarke county.
“The theme for this vigil Through Their Eyes. So we’re having one of the Juvenile court judges speak, we’re having a foster youth, who was in foster care herself in this area, talk about her experience as well as a director and a current CASA volunteer so that people can understand that this is what it’s like to be in foster care.”
Organizers hope to shed light on the plight of foster children in the area. Weller says even if becoming foster parent may not be the right fit for everyone, there are other ways to help.
“There’s going to be different people there talking about what they can do.”
She says the list of methods and opportunities to help are wide-ranging.
“What about being a foster parent, what about supporting foster parents, what about giving gifts as an Angel Tree for Christmas, what about helping with different supplies throughout the year? They could become a CASA volunteer where they advocate for children in foster care through the court system.”
The family-friendly vigil is Tuesday from 5:30 to 7:30.
Children First and Athens-Oconee CASA are hosting the 2nd Annual Candlelight Vigil.
