Kentucky foster children enjoy Halloween shopping spree at Caufield's
Caufield's Novelty hosted a free shopping spree for about a dozen foster children in Kentucky, offering them a chance to pick out costumes and accessories.
"This is a super exciting part of the work that we do. Having the kids be able to come here and go on their first shopping spree for Halloween is really awesome," said Shawnte West from the Department for Community Based Services (DCBS). "These kids have had some really difficult experiences in their short time here."
"So having an event like this that takes their mind away from those things, and the cost of things, and just being able to throw everything they want in the basket, and Caufield's and WC have been so great about allowing kids to stretch their imagination," West added.
In Jefferson County alone, more than 900 children are in the child welfare system.
These children live with foster parents, relatives, fictive kin, or in some cases, residential facilities.
"A lot of folks know we're really struggling to find the appropriate foster homes for a lot of our kids that are in care. So we really hope folks reach out to us to become foster parents, and if you can't become a foster parent, if you can become a respite provider," West said.
The event was filled with excitement as children like 7-year-old Isaiah and his new friend, also named Isaiah, explored the store.
One chose to be Captain America, while the other picked the Hulk.
"I'm gonna fight Captain America!" one of the boys exclaimed.
"No!" the other responded.
The joy was palpable among both the children and the adults who accompanied them.
"Let's take it off for ya," said an adult helping a child with a "Scream" mask.
The event highlighted the importance of community support for foster children and the need for more foster parents and respite providers in the area.