(Source for Photo: In Pennsylvania, to become a foster parent you must be at least 21, and everyone in your home age 14 and older must pass criminal and child abuse-related background checks. Credit for Photo: (Mediteraneo/Adobe Stock)- Danielle Smith, Keystone News Service: Caption for Photo: Multl generation family in autumn park having fun  – Danielle Smith, Keystone News Service)

(Reported by Danielle Smith of Keystone News Service)

(Harrisburg, PA) May is National Foster Care Month. In Pennsylvania, more than 15-thousand children are waiting for foster families, and their advocates are urging more people to open their homes to help. Carrie Eckhardt with Bethany Christian Services says their goal is to support families and children through quality social services. She shares a quote from the mother of Elle, a girl from a tough background who is now thriving thanks to a foster parent who adopted her. According to Eckhart: “She’s made honor roll every quarter, tried out for and made a sports team at her school, enjoys her youth group, volunteers with a club of her peers and in our church. She handles her homework, manages her emotions, completes her chores, fills up her social calendar. I’m just along for the ride, cheering her on.” Eckhardt says the group focuses on child welfare, refugee help and keeping families together, and aims to have enough homes for the 200 foster care referrals it receives each year.