Ventura County has over 1,000 children and youth in need of support and guidance to help them thrive while separated from their families of origin. Foster VC Kids is asking members of the community to open their hearts to these children by attending their inspirational Open Hearts Town Hall Meeting on Saturday February 25th beginning at 10am at the Ventura County Health Care Agency, 2240 E. Gonzales Road, Oxnard, CA 93036

A moving panel of foster parents, former foster youth, health care professionals, and foster care advocates will speak about the state of foster care in Ventura County and the many ways to open your heart and support local foster children and youth in need.

Prepare to be inspired to support our county’s most vulnerable youth!

Open Hearts Town Hall Meeting
Saturday, February 25th from 10am – 12pm
At the Ventura County Health Care Agency
2240 E. Gonzales Road in Oxnard

The Open Hearts Town Hall panel will include foster parent Amanda Maxson, a local nurse who says foster care is something that has always been in her heart. Now going on their fourth year as a resource family, Amanda and her husband Shaun have fostered five children. The couple adopted their first placement, a son now four years old, who battled a congenital heart defect as an infant.

“As a nurse, part of my job is to advocate for my patients,” she said. “So much of the role of a foster parent is to advocate for the children while they’re in your care; to identify their needs and help them get the services to meet those needs.”  While the Maxsons have cared for several children with medical needs, Amanda stresses that not all of those needs are intimidating health conditions.

“In many cases they’re just behind on immunizations or dental appointments,” she said.

Amanda and Shaun have a saying: “Love grows children.”  They have seen first-hand the impact their support has on the children they care for.

“I see so much change in these kids in just the short amounts of time that we have them,” says Amanda.  “I know a lot of people say it would be too hard to let them go, but these kids still deserve to feel valued and loved and to know what family looks like.  Just because it’s hard doesn’t mean it’s not worth it.”

If you or anyone you know is interested in learning more about helping Ventura County’s foster youth, please attend the Foster VC Kids Open Hearts Town Hall Meeting or browse our website at www.fostervckids.org. RSVP today to Foster VC Kids, (805) 654-3220, fostervckids@ventura.org or on Facebook.