Bowling Green Young Professionals and Family Enrichment Center host Christmas party for foster families

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Foster families and community partners alike are skating into Bowling Green to take part in a Christmas party put on by the Family Enrichment Center and the Bowling Green Young Professionals.

“We bring out families that have foster children and just kind of let them have a free night of entertainment in the Christmas season to let them kind of celebrate together,” says Joye Beth Spinks, chair of the Bowling Green Young Professionals.

For one family in attendance, this is a huge deal for them since they wouldn’t be able to afford a big Christmas otherwise.

“We were pretty excited to do skating for the first time as a family of seven children. I brought five tonight, so they’re super pumped to have the opportunity to just do something they don’t normally get to do,” Laura Sisco, a mom to seven children, including Micah & Gabe who we also spoke to, says.

But of course, it couldn’t happen without those who volunteer their time to put everything together, and the Bowling Green Young Professionals are a huge part of that.

“A lot of our members are very civic-minded, so we always have a good turnout of volunteers. Everybody is really excited to support monetarily, but also give their time to make sure these families have a really good time,” Spinks says.

With the BGYP covering all these costs, staff with the Family Enrichment Center says it’s a win-win for these families.

“It keeps it accessible for families because with a large group it can get pricey for families to go out and do these activities, but again, it’s just such a crucial part of keeping kids in placement and just overall well-being of the family and of the child,” Katie Dykes, Director of Development for the Family Enrichment Center says.

But of course, what would a Christmas party be without Santa? Well, that’s what life was like for Laura and her family during COVID.

“We didn’t do a whole lot, so it was really nice for us to be able to get back out there this year. We haven’t been out in a couple of years really. So just having that experience face to face has been important for them, for all of them really,” she says.

She then asks her kids, “You guys excited about being here?” to which they respond “Yeah!”

Her son Micah also adds he can’t wait to get his presents!