‘Backpacks of Love’ are Delivered to Foster Children

Led by Executive Director Connie Chung Joe, Korean American Family Services (KFAM) fought for a “campaign of love” to gift Korean foster children with backpacks during the month of July. The organization collected 337 backpacks during the month, well over the projected goal of 300 backpacks. Counseling was also offered on August 10 to L.A. County Child Protection Services as children began the new school year. The gathered backpacks and school supplies were then given to Korean students in the Los Angeles foster care system.

Every year, 400,000 children are temporarily removed from their parent’s care due to neglect, abandonment or abuse. In Los Angeles alone, 40,000 children inhabit the foster care system with only 2,000 foster families to care for them. To properly address this deficit, KFAM began the Korean Foster Family Initiative (KFFI) to spread awareness and recruit families to become licensed foster care providers through Los Angeles County DCFS (Department of Children and Family Services).

KFAM will be hosting their 33rd Anniversary Fundraising Gala on Thursday, Sept. 22 at 6:30 p.m.

Original article can be found here

Translated/Adapted by Hankyul Sharon Lee