May is National Foster Care Month! At HeartShare St. Vincent’s Services, an affiliate of HeartShare, we hope this month brings more awareness of the families and children who are a part of foster care and encourage more community members to give their support and service to them. We also use this month to recognize the hard work and dedication of the individuals who work on behalf of children and young people in foster care every day.

You may support HSVS by investing in our programs and services through donations, corporate sponsorships, in-kind donations, or volunteering. Visit www.hsvsnyc.org to learn more.

Here are some other ways to get involved as recommended by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute.

• Reach out to your Members of Congress and encourage them to cosponsor this year’s National Foster Care Month Resolution. Let them know that by cosponsoring they are making a public statement that foster children and youth matter! To locate the contact information for your Senators and Representative visit www.govtrack.us/congress/members. Congressional staff can contact CCAI’s Senior Director of Programs, Allison Coble, for more information (202-544-8500 or allison@ccainstitute.org).

• Spread the word on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and use the hashtag #FosterCareMonth. For sample Facebook posts and tweets visit www.childwelfare.gov/fostercaremonth/promote.

• Know someone who is a foster parent? Think about encouraging them by sending a thoughtful note or even a gift card!

• Know someone who is a foster child or youth? Let them know you care by sharing helpful resources such as educational opportunities and their rights as a foster youth: www.childwelfare.gov/fostercaremonth/resources/foryouth. Also, connect them with organizations dedicated to helping foster children and youth, such as One Simple Wish and Fostering Change Network.

• Consider becoming a foster parent! Not quite sure where to begin? Check out these resources www.adoptuskids.org/for-families/how-to-foster/being-a-foster-parent.

Happy National Foster Care Month!