Cora* is currently living with a C&FS foster family. A very imaginative child, Cora loves to use her dolls to put on shows for her foster parents and siblings, changing her voice for different characters and settings. When the C&FS Foster Care and Adoption Program recently held a private party at Explore and More, Cora saw her opportunity to show her creative side.
With the entire building was reserved for the party, Cora made a beeline for a group of puppets and used all of the props at her disposal. The puppets milked the museum’s large cow statue. They adventured on the treehouse playground. They healed injuries and gave other medical advice in the pretend doctor’s office. As this was happening, the other families and foster care team members watched in delight as Cora’s tales unfolded.
As over twenty children let their imaginations run wild throughout the museum, other foster parents had a chance to meet and network with another at the Foster Parent Appreciation Event. Jenna Slowik, Senior Permanency Specialist for the Foster Care Program, described how important it is for foster parents to have relationships with one another because of their common experiences. She witnessed two parents who had been texting for months meet each other in person for the first time.
“They immediately started talking about their situations and sharing book recommendations,” said Jenna. “It was amazing! Our foster parents are in unique situations. We try to connect them with each other so they have someone they can speak to who can relate. It’s like they’re on a team.”
The children did a bit of networking of their own. One of the exhibits at Explore and More involves pedaling stationary bicycles to generate enough power to move a light from the floor to the ceiling. Two children jumped on the bikes but could not pedal hard enough to illuminate the top light. One-by-one, the other bicycles filled with children. When the seats were filled, the kids worked together to send the light all the way to the top before bursting into cheers.
Cora was on one of the bikes, a puppet sitting on the handlebars in front of her.
*Name changed for confidentiality