Sibling Picnic 

Purpose of Event
Frequently, children who come into foster care, do so in sibling groups. However, they are often separated due to limited availability to accommodate them together in the same foster or group home.

The event gives siblings a chance to visit together without the added stress of their extended biological and foster/group home families. It is a day to recognize that although they now have different families, they are still siblings and must be able to keep the bond that they had before foster care.

In My Shoes believes that one of the best mentors in life is often a sibling. Unfortunately, many children and adults in and foster care no longer have a close bond with their siblings due to their tragic separation from each other.

This event is a special day for siblings to have an opportunity to create lasting, meaningful memories with each other. Our hope is to ensure that siblings separated through foster care will be able to utilize these memories to form bonds that will last well into adulthood.

Description of Event
The event is held each fall in a carnival atmosphere. Each sibling group is given a camera to take pictures to remember their day together. The children and youth are able to play games, win prizes, have their face painted, eat snacks and lunch, get their face painted, hair braided, and get a professional picture of them and their siblings together. The group photo is presented to them in a frame along with a parting gift at the end of the day.  A few weeks after the event, each child/youth who attended the event is also given a photo album of the pictures taken at the event.

Event Collaborators
Although In My Shoes hosts this event, we cannot do this event without our many wonderful volunteers and collaborators from the Arizona Chapter of Foster Care Alumni of America, Child Protective Services, Court Appointed Special Advocates, Family Connections Kinship Team, Foster Care Review Board, and Pima County Juvenile Court.

To be a part of the 2009 committee, please send us a volunteer interest form.

Items Needed For Event
In My Shoes is looking for a variety of donations to host this event for over 100 children and youth including:

Monetary Donations

Disposable Cameras 

Booth Games

Prizes

Goodie Bags 

Decorations

Plates/Napkins/Utensils

Catering Services

Bottles of Water  

Juice Boxes  

• Each year has a unique need for our event; however, the items listed above are generally always needed.
• We will post other items needed as we begin to plan for this event in the summer of 2009.  
• If you are able to help with any of these items, please call In My Shoes at (520) 747-1533. You can also make a tax deductable financial donation on our donations page.