Dance the Night Away
Dance the Night Away
Foster Cattaraugus to Host Adult Prom Fundraiser
Prom: Whether you loved it, regretted it, or skipped it altogether, pretty much everyone can agree that there’s nothing like a night of dressing up, showing off, and living it up with the people you love! If you never had a chance to go or would like to relive the magic – perhaps with the person who is now your true love – the time is now! Foster Cattaraugus, a brand new non-profit organization, is hosting an Enchanted Forest Adult Prom on Saturday, August 10th from 7:00-10:00pm. at Woodside Tavern in Olean.
All proceeds from the adult prom benefit Foster Cattaraugus, a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to helping foster care in Cattaraugus County. Amanda Clute, one of the founding members of the organization, said the organization was formed in April of this year and grew out of a need that she and others recognized when children enter foster care. “There’s a growing number of kids and a growing number of needs for foster homes,” Clute explained. “When kiddos come into care, there’s kind of a mad rush, and there are needs that aren’t reimbursed by the state. In an effort to support the county, we came together to create a non-profit that might provide for some of those intake needs: hygiene items, diapers, the initial formula before WIC begins - those basic items that maybe are a little bit hard up front for a foster parent to take care of and hard for the county with a growing number of kiddos.”
Indeed, the number of children in foster care in Cattaraugus County has increased significantly, even since last year. “The number of children has grown so much,” said Clute. “This time last year, there were about 50 kids, and there must be close to 90 this year.” She explained that Foster Cattaraugus exists to help bridge the gap between what the children need and what the county can immediately provide to “make that beginning for kiddos that are already in a traumatic situation better.”
Children in foster care range in age from newborn up to age 21, Clute shared, which means the needs of each foster family can be very different. Foster Cattaraugus works closely with the county to understand what the intake needs are in order to support families as they welcome a new child into their homes. In addition to providing for families’ physical needs, Foster Cattaraugus also works to support trauma education for foster parents and support children coming into care who may have specialized needs.
The upcoming adult prom is the non-profit’s first major fundraiser, and Clute is excited to welcome all to a night of glamor and fun! “I think everybody likes an excuse to dress up, and we really wanted something that people could enjoy and not just buy tickets for but something to get excited about and raise awareness,” she said. The prom, which is a 21 and up event, will be held on Saturday, August 10th at Woodside Tavern on the Range, located at 3319 West River Road in Olean. In true prom fashion, there will be a DJ and traditional prom photos! The event also includes a cash bar, food, and door prizes. Single tickets and couple tickets are available, and each includes non-alcoholic beverages and food. Tickets are pre-sale only and can be ordered online at www.eventbrite.com. The ticket link is available through the adult prom event on Foster Cattaraugus’ Facebook page.
If you already have plans on August 10th or prom isn’t really your style, there are still many ways to support Foster Cattaraugus. Donations can be made online via PayPal to Foster Cattaraugus Inc. (https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=H3H6UX73GDQ5L) or by check payable to Foster Cattaraugus and mailed to PO Box 70, Olean, NY 14760. The organization also has an Amazon Wish List for items that are helpful at intake of a placement: https://a.co/3Y7uRy0. For more information about Foster Cattaraugus and to get involved, follow the organization on Facebook or email fostercattaraugus@gmail.com.