ANKENY, Iowa — This weekend kicks off the annual Foster Jam. The Foster Squad event will take place this Saturday from 6-10 p.m. at the Ankeny Market Pavilion.
Local 5 spoke with Traci Schermerhorn, one of the founders of Foster Squad. As a former foster parent herself, she hopes to bring clarity to those who may not understand the role they play in children's lives.
"People don't really understand what foster parents are doing. They don't understand. We're not in it for the pay. It's not a lucrative job. You're here just to help these kids through some tough times. And you don't necessarily bring them out of their difficult worlds, you step into it with them," Schermerhorn said.
Foster Jam is free to attend and will feature live music and food trucks. All donations will help foster families in central Iowa.
Foster Squad supports foster families year-round. The group is constantly working towards connecting kids with resources.
"We provide a care kit, which is just a backpack or diaper bag with essential items to help them feel welcome in their new home. So a blanket, soap, shampoo, water bottles, things like that," Schermerhorn said.
The group also works to improve foster parent's mental health.
"We also do a training in a support group that our support group meets monthly in Ankeny and it's just a chance for foster parents to get together and what I just mentioned of being with other people who are going through that journey," Schermerhorn said.
The group also has meetings with state leadership in the Department of Health and Human Services, sharing with them the issues foster parents are having.
"When foster parents are having issues they can reach out to HHS, none of that existed years ago when we were fostering so those are huge steps forward to at least give people the avenue of 'I have a problem where do I go, okay I can take this step,'" Schermerhorn told Local 5.
The Foster Squad knows not everyone is a good fit for foster care, but anyone can come to the event and show their support for the kids in that way.