MOLINE, Ill (KWQC) – Lutheran Social Services of Illinois held its first-ever foster fair in Moline at Marketplace 2500. The purpose of the fair is to make the community aware of the challenges facing the foster care system as they educated the community during its statewide event.

Andrea McClean who is a resource specialist and social worker with LSSI says the biggest challenge is a shortage of foster parents statewide. She feels awareness could be a contributing factor.

“Until I got into working into the field, I didn’t know it was all around me. I don’t know what’s happening. So I would just say, awareness, maybe people the fear of taking on that challenge, because these children are traumatized. But they need a good loving home that has patience, and are caring and can take in those youth to provide them a safe home,” said McClean

McClean also says foster children can have a range of negative experiences from physical abuse to neglect. A proper home and family are keys to positive change.

“I would love to license at least 10 traditional foster homes this year. I know that doesn’t sound like a lot. But we really don’t have that many homes. I mean, if I could do 20 this year, that that’d be great,” said McClean.

Jasmine Lee, the owner of Marketplace 2500 is someone who knows firsthand what negative experiences can have on a child.

She was in 36 foster homes before being adopted at age seven.

“I remember the day I got adopted, I got they brought me in and I had a black trash bag, a bunny and the clothes on my back. And they invited me into this room with all this stuff. And I was like, I don’t know whose that is. But I’m a sleep in the hallway. Because they’re just, you just don’t have a feeling of home,” said Lee.

Lee says every foster kid doesn’t have a bad experience, and a person doesn’t have to become a foster parent to make a difference.

“It just doesn’t stop at foster fairs. Like if you think that you can reach out if you have any kind of time, whether it is at one of the camps or closet to closet or you just want to donate clothes. There’s a million ways that you can really help out the entire community without necessarily signing up to be a full time foster parent or adopting a kid,” said Lee.

the LSSI staff says anyone interested in learning more about becoming a foster parent can visit lssi.org.

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