Mentoring
As foster children journey through the state foster care system they are often in need of a stable relationship. Mentors offer friendship, guidance and support. We train and match caring adult volunteers one-on-one with foster children.

Each prospective mentor must be at least 21 years of age, go through the application and interview process, complete training sessions and consent to background checks. Mentors are required to make at least a one-year commitment to the program and attend monthly in-service meetings to receive ongoing education, training and support.

Resource Center
Children are removed from their homes by the State Department of Human Services due to serious abuse and/or neglect from parents or care givers. They are taken from their homes, usually, with only what they are wearing. They are not even allowed to take a favorite toy or stuffed animal with them. The children go to the Oklahoma County Shelter which is their temporary home until a foster home placement can be found for them.

When a foster parent picks up a child from the shelter, they once again leave with only the clothing they are wearing, and it may not even be their own. Citizens Caring for Children’s Resource Center is most frequently the first stop made by the foster parent. We provide (free of charge) new outfits of clothing, shoes, underwear, socks, pajamas, school supplies, library books and birthday toys during the child’s birth month. These items are intended to supplement the insufficient clothing allowance the state gives each child as they enter foster care.

Resource Center Services
The Citizens Caring for Children Resource Center is for the exclusive use of foster children, ages birth – 21, in DHS custody living within the Oklahoma City Area and the surrounding counties of: Canadian, Cleveland, Grady, Lincoln, Logan and Pottawatomie.

The following documents must be presented upon each visit. The DCFS-19 State of Oklahoma Department of Human Services Placement Agreement for Out-of-Home Care and a foster parent valid Drivers License with Photo ID.

This is a free service to supplement and assist foster parents in meeting the needs of their foster children.

Hours of operation are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and is located at 45 N.E. 50th Street, Oklahoma City, OK. Services are available 5 times a year.

Shelter Birthday Parties
After children are taken from their homes they enter the Oklahoma County Shelter, a temporary placement for them. Many of them spend their birthday among strangers and away from their family. Citizens Caring for Children celebrates the gift of life at the monthly parties by remembering the foster children on their birthday. For many it is the only birthday party they have ever celebrated.

Back-to-School Campaign
Going to a different school can be an especially difficult time for foster children. Citizens Caring for Children gives new book bags and school supplies along with a new outfit of clothing and shoes to each child ensuring they are equipped for success on their first day of school.

Santa Stop
While most of us gather with our families for the holidays, foster children are sadly reminded that they are separated from their families and loved ones. We lovingly share the spirit of Christmas with hundreds of foster children by giving them gifts from their personal wish lists. We rely solely on community support and welcome you, your organization, company or church group to adopt a child’s wish list or hold a toy drive.