Project aims to help foster care kids who age out of the system

The State of Iowa at any given time has over 5,000 youth in the foster care system.  Some of those are high school students.  For them, graduating from high school means not only receiving a diploma, but being dropped out of the foster case system.  They leave the foster care system and embark on their own lives, but often have limited resources.

Two years ago, the Mission and Outreach Committee of First Lutheran Church in Decorah asked Lutheran Services of Iowa, who helps oversee and care for these young people in need, how the congregation could help.  Project Care was created to help these young people aging out of the foster care system. 

The project created a graduation party for the young people and gave them help in furnishing apartments and acquiring items necessary for college.   "I think we all can relate to being at this juncture in life," states First Lutheran senior Pastor Chad Huebner.  "(Project Care) is a wonderful opportunity to reach out, care, and serve.  We are so grateful for the community's embrace and effort to make this the success that it is."

"This year we have 7 students in our local area graduating from high school and aging out of the foster care system," said Project Care Coordinator Kirsten Heine.  The project provides the basic essentials for independent living for each of the young people, such as bath towels, sheet sets, plates, silverware, microwaves, cooking utensils.  The committee also works so that each student also receives a television and a computer for college studies.

Anyone who wants to help, either by purchasing a needed item, donating money towards purchasing computers or helping with the graduation celebration on Thursday, May 30th should contact First Lutheran Church at 563-382-2638.  All donated items should be dropped off at the church by Friday, May 24th.  Monetary donations should be made out to "First Lutheran Church c/o Project Care."  All donations at tax deductible. Everyone is invited to the graduationcelebration.

"This endeavor will change how you look at and care for those youth in our community in foster care, and also will fill your heart.  I have never had the opportunity to be a part of a community effort like this. It is inspiring!" stated Heine.