HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-04-23 Proclamation
PROCLAIMING MAY 2007 AS FOSTER CARE AWARENESS MONTH
WHEREAS, approximately 2,252 children in Mine are in the care of Maine Department of Human
Services; and
WHEREAS, nearly all of these children have special needs due to physical, mental, or emotional
disabilities, because they must be placed with other siblings, because they are
children of color, or because they are school-aged; and
WHEREAS, approximately 217 children are currently in foster homes awaiting adoption by their
foster families while an additional 153 children are waiting for adoptive families; and
WHEREAS, many of these children are cared for by one of 1,204 licensed foster families; and
WHEREAS, there are 85 children from Bangor currently in the State foster care system and 18
families in Bangor licensed as foster parents; and
WHEREAS, these children require extra patience and support to help them overcome the
significant hardships they face; and
WHEREAS, a disability, low income, or being single do not disqualify individuals from adopting;
and
WHEREAS, children waiting for adoptive parents and families who are caring for these children or
who have decided to adopt these children require and deserve public and agency
support;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, RICHARD D. GREENE, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF BANGOR, on behalf
of the City Council and the Citizens of Bangor, do hereby proclaim May 2006 as Foster Care
Awareness Month in the City of Bangor. I encourage our community, agencies, religious
organizations, businesses, and others to celebrate foster care, honor families that grow through
foster care, further an awareness of the challenges and issues in foster care, and focus attention on
those who live in the shadow of an uncertain future while they await forever families.
rd
Given this the 23 day of April 2007.
__________________________________
Mayor Richard D. Greene