Project 1:17

Written By: Kelsey Remmel, PATH Social Worker

It all started with two friends discussing two things over a cup of coffee one day: at any given time there are around 50 kids on the statewide list for PATH and there is an ongoing need for foster homes to serve the youth in foster care. From there a few more conversations took place about the need and before anyone truly realized what was happening, Project 1:17 began to form.

Project 1:17 is a group of foster and adoptive parents, as well as some concerned community members, who are dedicated to educating community members about the ongoing need for foster and adoptive homes. The group members have created a wonderful video that details the number of youth in foster care, why there is a need for foster homes, and what individuals/families can do to help. It was decided that Project 1:17 would target getting information out about the need for foster homes during the month of May as May is National Foster Care month. Group members partnered with churches in the Fargo-West Fargo area during May to raise awareness by showing the video during church services. As a follow up to group members efforts in partnering with area churches, Cass County, Lutheran Social Services, AASK, and PATH have collaborated with Project 1:17 to hold informational meetings for individuals interested in learning more about how to become involved in foster and/or adoptive care.

The group has set a goal of recruiting 117 new foster homes in 2014. Not only is Project 1:17 determined to recruit new foster parents in the near future; they are hoping to turn Project 1:17 into an ongoing education and recruitment effort. The hope is that Project 1:17 will continue its efforts of educating the public on the need for foster and adoptive homes by partnering with churches throughout the year and years to come with the ultimate goal of Project 1:17 one day becoming a Non-Profit Organization that is dedicated to educating the public on the need for foster homes. Plans are already in the works to partner with more churches in the next few months before AASK’s informational meeting in August to hopefully recruit a few more interested community members to the meeting!

I would like to personally acknowledge and thank each and every individual who has had a part in creating Project 1:17. The hard work and dedication each individual has displayed in trying to recruit new foster and adoptive homes, as well as simply get information out to the public about the need, is absolutely wonderful to see. I want to give a personal thank you to Nate Safe, PATH Foster Parent in Fargo, who was the catalyst behind this group forming. It was Nate who took the information about the need for foster homes to some of his friends and family and did the leg work in getting this group formed. I am truly grateful that I have been able to be a part of watching this group form and grow. It has been a joy working with Project 1:17 and amazing to watch the passion each group member has for this cause. Hopefully it will continue to grow and one day meets the hopes of becoming an organization!

See their vimeo video here: https://vimeo.com/95903894