All are invited to a refugee foster care orientation and breakfast cooked by refugees

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SALT LAKE CITY — Catholic Community Services of Utah is inviting all to a Refugee Foster Care Orientation and Breakfast on April 13 at which some refugee foster children will cook breakfast foods from their homelands.

“The countries/foods being represented at the breakfast will be Burundi/Congo, Burma and Iraq/Afghanistan,” said Erica Astle, manager of CCS’ Refugee Foster Care Program.

The event will also serve as an orientation for people interested in fostering refugee children. CCS welcomes youth from all over the world into the Refugee Foster Care Program, which helps place the minors in foster care homes or group homes. The minors receive the same services as the children who are part of the Utah Foster Care program.

Among some of the services that the youth in the CCS Refugee foster care program receive  until they turn 21 years of age are financial support for housing, food, clothing; medical services; education such as English as a Second Language tutoring, job and career training, and independent living skills; mental health services; and legal and immigration assistance.

By becoming foster parents, people can help refugee children, Astle said. “This world is full of injustice; these youth are here because of great loss at an early age, but they have overcome all odds and are extremely resilient. It is mutually beneficial for us to stand in solidarity and learn from each other. Every child deserves a loving, safe home,” she said.

Currently CCS Utah has 93 youth in their custody; five more are expected to arrive in the near future.

“We need more foster homes and more options so we can find the best fit for the youth when the time comes,” Astle said.

CCS Refugee Foster Care is part of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ effort to care for unaccompanied refugee and immigration children.

“With support from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of State, Migration Refugee Services provides a continuum of care through its collaboration with a national network of 12 state licensed Unaccompanied Refugee Minor (URM) foster care programs,” the USCCB web page reads.

Requirements for becoming a foster parent include  obtaining clear federal and state background checks for everyone in the home over 18; completing 36 hours of pre-service training; and earning CPR/first aid certification. Foster  parents can be single; if a couple, they must be able to show proof of marriage. In addition, TB tests must be taken by all household members, and an approved home study must be done and completed by CCS.

WHAT: CCS Utah Refugee Foster Care Orientation and Breakfast 

WHEN: Saturday, April 13, 10 a.m. – noon 

WHERE: 745 East 300 South, SLC

RSVP to mbuonforte@ccsutah.org or 801-428-1283. For information, visit  https://www.ccsutah.org/programs/refugees/refugee-foster-care.