Family Fun Day Will Highlight

The Need For Foster Homes

The Danbury office of Department of Children and Families is hosting a Family Fun Day in Newtown on Sunday, June 13, at Santosha Center for Yoga & Health, 27 Hawleyville Road.

The goals for Family Fun Day include spreading the word about the need for foster homes in the greater Danbury area, to educate the community about foster care and adoption, and to honor and celebrate already licensed foster and adoptive families who have opened their hearts and home to a child in need.

The event will run from noon to 4 pm, rain or shine, and will include food, games, raffles, tours of a fire truck, face painting, vendors, a dunk tank, chair massages, petting zoo, and visits with Newtown’s K-9 Baro.

Foster parents truly make a positive difference in the lives of children displaced from their homes due to neglect or abuse. DCF is the state run, child welfare agency in Connecticut.

Players from the Danbury Westerners will be present for autographs. Local politicians and DCF officials have also been invited.

“Although our mission is to preserve families whenever possible, there are times when placement into foster care is necessary,” said DCF spokesperson Yvette Newton. “Currently there are over 4,900 children under the custody and care of the Department here in Connecticut and over 3,000 of those children are living in foster care. Many children are in congregate care settings such as residential facilities or group homes. Many are waiting for a foster home and some are waiting for a permanent adoptive home to call their own.

“We chose Santosha Center as our location due to the convenient location and beautiful, serene surroundings both inside and out,” said Ms Newton. “It is our hope that attendees will have an opportunity to receive information on this important cause while enjoying a fun-filled day.”

Contact Ms Newton at 203-207-5267 or Santosha, 203-364-0851, for additional information.