A pair of splash contest participants are all smiles during the Oregon Department of Human Services Child Welfare’s annual pool party July 21, 2023, at Hermiston Family Aquatic Center. The public is invited to learn how they can help local foster youths during Foster Care Advocacy Night on Oct. 24, 2023, at Zeal Church, Hermiston.

HERMISTON — it takes a village to raise a foster child — learn how you can make a difference in the lives of local children who are in the care of the Oregon Department of Human Services Child Welfare.

Foster Care Advocacy Night is Tuesday, Oct. 24, 6:30-8 p.m. at Zeal Church, 730 E. Hurlburt Ave., Hermiston. Several community partners who work in conjunction with the DHS will come together to talk about their roles and share how the community can help.

People are encouraged to come and ask questions and learn about different opportunities that can impact the life of children in foster care and ways to help resource families. Light refreshments will be served.

For more about the foster care program in Oregon, search www.oregon.gov/odhs/foster-care. For questions, contact Jesus Rome, CASA/diversity equity and inclusion manager, at 541-667-6091, jrome@umchs.org or Karlee Wallace, resource family retention and recruitment champion, at 541-561-8388 or karlee.wallace@odhs.oregon.gov.