Submitted
Saint Francis Ministries will offer a conference for adults involved in foster care or adoption. The free “Hope for the Journey Conference” will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, June 24, at North Oak Community Church, 3000 Oak St.
The video conference is designed “to equip and encourage parents and caregivers meeting the needs of children impacted by adoption and/or foster care,” a news release said.
The conference will “bring together teaching, resources, and practical experiences (so that) parents and caregivers—and the churches and organizations seeking to serve these children and families--will gain a deeper understanding of these children’s needs,” the news release added.
Free breakfast and lunch will be provided. Celebration Community Church in Hays is underwriting the cost of the lunch, said Kristy Opat, area Foster Homes Recruiter for Saint Francis.
The day’s events will include prize drawings, and training certificates will be provided upon request. Childcare will not be provided.
Opat said, “It is incredibly important to support our foster homes, who are our front-line, in the trench, heroes parenting these children of our communities. Offering quality resources, trainings, and support is imperative to give foster parents the proper tools to meet the needs of the children placed with them.”
She encouraged anyone wanting more information about adoption or becoming a foster parent to attend. The training is open to the public.
Pre-registration is required by Tuesday, June 20, to Opat at 785-656-0071.
In addition to its work with foster care and adoption, Saint Francis Ministries “helps survivors of child sex trafficking, adults wanting to break addictive behaviors, and families trying to stay together,” according to its website.
The non-profit organization serves individual in six states. Its Hays office is located at 3000 Broadway Ave.