By Jonah Grinkewitz
Foster-U, an ODU student group, is leading a "March For Our Care" from 10 a.m. to noon April 16 on Kaufman Mall to raise awareness about foster care and support children and families within the child welfare system.
Melvin Roy, founder of Foster-U, will speak about his experience in the foster care program. Roy is a senior at ODU majoring in human services and minoring in psychology.
"What I would say to families is, 'Take each day as an opportunity to pour into a child,'" he said. "As adults, we don't forget the things people did for us as kids."
Local foster care agencies, including Connect With a Wish, Tidewater Friends of Foster Care, Families First of Virginia and the Up Center, will share information about their services and opportunities for people to engage with foster care advocacy. They will also be accepting donations for items such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, mouthwash, pajamas and duffle bags to support foster children.
The event will also feature an Easter egg hunt for kids, a performance by ODU's Blue Diamonds stomp-and-shake team, a raffle, giveaways and food. The first 150 attendees will receive a free T-shirt and a ribbon to mark National Foster Care Month in May.
The event is free and open to the public. Click here for more information and to register.
The full timeline for the event is:
- 10 a.m. Arrival and registration
- 10:15 a.m. Opening remarks (Melvin Roy, founder of Foster-U)
- 10:30 a.m. Walk across Kaufman Mall
- 10:45 a.m. Closing remarks (John Murray, executive director of Families First of Virginia)
- 11 a.m. to noon Easter Egg hunt, children's activities and local child placement agency information tables
