There is a saying that goes like this; “One moment can change a day, One day can change a life and One life can change the world”. (Gautama Buddha) This past Saturday, Foster Arizona hosted its third annual One Ticket. One Kid. One Day. Kids Connection Event. This year we partnered with Wildlife World Zoo and Aquarium, Sub Zero Ice Cream, Basha’s, and supporters like you to give kids a day of fun.  And, let me give away the ending…it was an Amazing day!

This year, Foster Arizona supporters sponsored 220 kids from Arizona group homes to enjoy a day just being kids and making new memories, memories that will stick with them for a lifetime. In addition, over 45 volunteers gave up their Saturday to connect with these kids. That’s probably my favorite part of these events. Foster Arizona’s Kid Connection Events allow for ordinary people like you and I to interact, connect, and engage with these kids on a personal level. It gives us the opportunity to see the real faces of foster care. Instead of a statistic, it’s a smile…a laugh, a high five. It’s life on life and it is beautiful.

When the event is all over and the craziness of planning an event for over 300 people subsides, we are left with the lasting impact. What makes all the work worth it are these stories. Stories of lives touched and memories made, of perceptions being shattered, and barriers of fear that kept our community and these kids separated being torn down. Stories of a family who thought they could only open their home to a young child walking away considering a teen. It’s with the young adult looking to the future and feeling empowered to be a part of change.

“Once you spend time with these kids and know who they are, how can you say no?” –KCE Host

You see, when the lives of individuals and foster care collide, the walls and perceptions begin to break down and you begin to realize that they’re just kids and that maybe you can make a difference.

This year’s event was amazing. We are so grateful for Wildlife World Zoo and Aquarium as well as our other community partners who went above and beyond to make this day special for each and every kid. We are also thankful for those who gave financially so that these kids could have their day, and we’re thankful for you. Thank you for following along with us and supporting our mission to educate, engage and empower Arizonans to make a step up and make a difference in foster care. So I’ll end where I started, “One moment can change a day, One day can change a life and One life can change the world”. That’s what these events are all about and we would love to see you at our next Kids Connection Event so that you can experience this in your life too.

Kim Vehon

Founder/CEO Foster Arizona

kim@fosteraz.com