By Sarrah Peters/News Editor
On Monday, Dec. 15, Seraaj Family Homes will host a Christmas celebration for the children in their foster program in Oxford.
“The holidays can be difficult for the kids since they aren’t at home, especially the new ones. But every year, they are so happy that night,” said Cecelia Borden.
The event will feature a Christmas dinner and presents for the kids and the foster parents.
Seraaj has received approximately $900 in donations to make this event possible. Many places just donated gifts.
About 25 children, all fostered, will attend. About seven of the children are from the Gadsden area.
The foster parents will also receive a gift as a token of Seraaj’s appreciation. It can be challenging to be a foster parent, as some of the children need therapeutic foster care.
Along with challenges, fostering children can provide an individual with the chance to help the kids. One success story involved a 6-year-old that was nonverbal and couldn’t walk. Now the child is attending school and improving.
Other foster parents look after the kids when the original foster parents must leave for a weekend or short period of time. These “backup” foster parents ensure that the child is still receiving quality care during these periods.
Seraaj licenses foster homes. Currently, the organization is looking for more individuals to open their homes and hearts to foster children.
According to Borden, fostering can provide “the satisfaction of knowing that they can help a child that for some reason can not grow up in their family.”
Seraaj also provides counseling and in-home services to families so that the family can be reunited with their children.
“Reunification is always the goal,” said Borden.
Seraaj tries to provide every child in their care with a suitcase, so that he/she can avoid the stigma of carrying their belongings in trash bags.
There is small compensation for being a foster parent. Mostly foster parents are motivated by the chance to help children, or to give their own life deeper purpose.
For more information, call 256-835-4883 or visit www.seraajfh.com.