Nonprofit mobile unit arrives Friday, providing resources for children

Ever heard of Fostering Connections OK? If not, you are not alone, but it proves an organization worth getting to know as it tirelessly works to connect foster children aged 0 to 18 with needed resources. It also serves children in guardianships and trial reunifications, children adopted from foster care, and children under a safety plan. It offers resources out of its Tulsabased center and mobile unit, which serves seven counties: Creek, Washington, Rogers, Okmulgee, Pawnee, Kay, and Muskogee. The mobile unit will be in Bristow this Friday, July 7, at Williams Foods.

According to the organization’s coordinator, Rosie, Fostering Connections OK is organized as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. She explained the nonprofit’s purpose, saying “We are a resource for children in foster care, particularly for kids transitioning into care. They often enter care without anything, which is where we enter their lives, providing a little bit of normalcy during such a chaotic time. We provide clothing, toys, needed sensory items, hygiene products, baby gear, car seats and more. We also offer a back-toschool program for the kids,

See Fostering, Page Three filling their backpacks with needed supplies.” Shockingly, the program currently runs on the work of four women.

Rosie, Amy, Dana, and Cadience, also known as “KK”, devote their time and energy into raising awareness and funds, organizing disbursements of supplies, conducting outreach services via their mobile unit, and helping children smile amidst a background of chaos and trauma, especially as they transition from their homes into the care of others—each of them being personally touched by the foster system in some capacity in their own lives.

While speaking with Rosie, who also runs the mobile unit, she noted that in addition to her own biological children, she has fostered children and adopted. She continued, noting that Dana has also fostered and adopted, that Amy is a former news reporter involved numerous stories on children in the system and the system itself, and that KK is a former foster child involved with their program. According to Rosie, KK’s mom has volunteered with Fostering Connections OK for more than thirteen years. Now, KK has joined that effort as well.

As for how the four women manage to meet the needs of thousands of children each year, Rosie stated they each fill many roles. Moreover, she said that ninety percent of funding is derived “from the love of others” in addition to goods donations. Pertaining to those goods donations, the nonprofit accepts gently loved, non-tattered, clean clothing and shoes, unbroken toys, nonperishable food items for their pantry, and brand new, packaged socks, underwear, and hygiene products. Further, Rosie proudly proclaimed that unusable items are donated forward to other organizations, eliminating waste.

Currently, the organization is in need of summer clothing items in sizes 5 to 8, 12, and 14 for both boys and girls. Anyone interested in donating may donate three ways: in person at the resource center located at 3326-B E. 51st Street in Tulsa, by dropping off donations at the mobile unit during monthly stops, or by visiting the website, www.fosteringconnectionsok. org, and clicking “Donate Now”.

Eligible children may be registered in person at the resource center or by email for the mobile unit. Caretakers must preregister children in advance to be serviced by the mobile unit. To enquire about registering a child, contact Fostering Connections OK through their website, Facebook page, or by phone at 918-742-4947. Resource Center operating hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

For her part, Rosie heartwarmingly relayed the most rewarding aspect of her work helping the children. She said “It’s the kids, seeing the light come on in their eyes. It’s showing them love and providing a spark of hope and joy. It’s putting a good pair of shoes on their feet when some of them come to us barefooted and assuring them that Santa Claus does come for them. I have the best job ever because I get to put smiles on children’s faces.”

Finally, Rosie expressed special gratitude to Williams’ manager Eric Kuykendall for graciously allowing the mobile unit use of the parking lot.

As the mobile unit visits Bristow on Friday, be sure to have your donations ready, adding some encouragement for the dedicated workers who ensure life is more abundant and hopeful for children in need.