By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current
Brisk winds and cloudy skies did not hamper the enthusiasm of the children and adults who attended Foster Hope’s “Celebration of Families” picnic held Sunday in Geneseo City Park.
The event is held to honor families who have adopted children through Foster Care in the last year
Lola Rahn, who with her husband, Ryan Rahn, founded Foster Hope in April of 2017, said, “The event is held every year and includes families who currently have children in foster care as well as those who have adopted children in the last year. “
“We honor the families that have finalized their adoptions by presenting them with floral bouquets and signs that read ‘LOVE Makes A Family’,” Rahn added.
The celebration includes face painting, pumpkin decorating, cookie decorating, a meal and photo opportunities for families.
“We celebrated eight adoptions at the picnic Sunday,” Rahn said, “and about 140 people, children and adults, attended,” Rahn said.
When the Rahn couple founded Foster Hope, they opened space at 107 South State St. in Atkinson, in the former Atkinson Grade School building, which is where foster parent training classes are held and where items needed by foster families are collected and distributed. Foster Hope also has a second location in Geneseo where household items are available for teens aging out of foster care.
Foster Hope is a 501 c3 non-profit organization that supports foster families in the Quad Cities and surrounding areas. They rely on donations and sponsors for the many events and activities held for foster care families. For more information, email fosterhopeqc@gmail.com.
Foster Hope currently serves families in Henry, Rock Island, Mercer and Whiteside counties.
Rahn said. “Our services are available to families licensed through Bethany for Children & Families, Center for Youth & Family Services, DCFS and Lutheran Social Services.”
In addition to the foster training classes, Foster Hope offers clothes (sizes newborn to 12/14), diapers, infant equipment and other items needed by children when placed in foster care.
