GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - May is National Foster Care Awareness Month, an opportunity to recognize the thousands of children and youth who need safe, supportive homes and the everyday heroes who step up to offer them.

For Children’s Hope, a foster family agency proudly serving 18 Northern California counties, the mission has always been clear: create brighter futures, one individual at a time.

More than 60,000 children are in foster care across California. The need for safe, loving homes, especially for sibling groups, teens and children with higher-level needs, is more urgent than ever.

“You can count the number of seeds in a single apple but you can’t count the number of apples in a single seed,” said Chief Executive Officer Benjamin E. Payne.

Children’s Hope offers a wide range of programs beyond placement, providing support services. These services include Transitional Housing Programs, counseling, enrichment funding for activities such as music and sports, transportation to family visits, family visitation rooms and trauma-informed behavioral support through the Intensive Services Foster Care program.

Every resource is designed to empower both the child and the family. This month, Children’s Hope invites the community to learn more about becoming a resource parent, donating or supporting ongoing outreach efforts.

To learn more about becoming a resource parent or to donate, visit childrenshopeffa.org or call 530-846-4955.