By
Felix Hoover
For
Your News Columbus
About
700 people took part in FamJam, an annual program presented by
Franklin County Children Services to heighten awareness about
resources available to foster parents, adoptive parents, volunteers
and children.
The
outdoor gathering was intened to “put meaning to our tagline:
Protecting children by strengthening families,“ said Doris Calloway
Moore, communications director for Children Services.
A
special pitch was made for more male mentors to tak a strong role in
the community through involvement with the agency.
The
event seems tobe catching on as more families took partt this year
than in the past, said Troy Lindsey, community outreach coordinator.
Part
of the purpose oof FamJam was "to let people know we're a community
department and not just the arm that comes in and takes away kids,"
he said.
Earlier FamJam’s had been held on the Statehouse lawn, but this
year’s at Franklin Park seemed to be a wise move because it brought
out people in the community said foster parent Shirley Brown of the
East Side.
She
also liked having access to a number of information sources
available, including settlement houses, the Center of Science and
Industry, Bikers Against Abuse, Happy Healthy Pre-Schoolers and the
Franklin County Auditor’s office.
Featured entertainment came from the Ohio Hispanic Coalition’s Youth
Dance Team, Premiere Cheer Stars, Stepping Out Columbus Singers and
Somali Youth Committee.
