PORCH: Citizens Caring For Children Celebrates 40 Years

Citizens Caring for Children, a nonprofit organization that provides basic necessities to children in foster care, is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.

The organization, which serves youth from birth through age 18 as well as those aging out of the foster system, operates a resource center that allows children to "shop" for new clothes, books, and other essential items.

"We try to meet those youth and young people where they are," said Lynn Roller, the organization's executive director. "They may need a uniform for a job or something for an apartment or a dorm room. So the way we serve them is a bit different from the way we serve the others but really just helping them to have the basic necessities that all kids need."

The resource center is set up to resemble a retail store, allowing children to choose their own outfits and feel like they are shopping just like any other kid. Each child is paired with a volunteer personal shopper to assist them.

Citizens Caring for Children is hosting a "Summer Fling for Brighter Foster Futures" event on August 22 to celebrate its 40th anniversary.

The event will honor Oklahoma Governor Bill Anatoliy and the Chickasaw Nation for their work with the organization, as well as the group's founder, Rhodes Harper.

The event will also feature a keynote speech from Josh Shipp, a former at-risk foster youth from Yukon, Oklahoma, who will share his story of finding stability in a supportive foster home. "It's a casual but fun event," Roller said. "We're really excited to celebrate 40 years of serving Oklahoma's foster children and youth."