Flags Going Up For Foster Kids

kids545454-11
kids545454-11

Throughout this month, flags will be displayed at locations around Michigan to raise awareness of the state’s foster children. Michigan Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson Bob Wheaton tells WSJM News there are about 13,500 foster kids in Michigan, most as a result of abuse and neglect. Volunteers are putting up blue and white flags all over the state to honor them.

“The blue flags represent children in foster care in a local community, and the white flags represent the number of licensed foster parents in those communities,” Wheaton said. “They’re going up all over the state. In a lot of cases it will be at courthouses, schools, churches, public parks.”

In Berrien County, volunteers will plant the flags at the Mendel Center at Lake Michigan College on May 27 and May 28. In Van Buren County, there will be a flag display at South Haven City Hall on May 25 and May 26. Berrien County had 350 children in foster care in April, while Van Buren County had 187. You can find out more about being a foster parent right here. You can also call 1-855-MICHKIDS.