Back to Institute News" Foster Children Awaiting Adoption to Perform Educational Play"
Foster children taking part in a self-enrichment program will hold a series of performances of a play conceived, created, and performed by them. The T.A.P.S. (Tapping Artistic Potential and Success in Children) Project is a partnership between the Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute’s Banyan Center and the Florida Department of Children and Families’ One Church-One Child program.
There are approximately 900 children in foster care in Hillsborough County at any given time. More than 200 of them are free to be adopted, but they often have a long wait for permanent families. Some never find such a home and grow up in foster care. More than half the children awaiting adoption are African American. Adoptive families are most needed for African American children between the ages of 6 and 11. Many of them have been in foster care for several years, have siblings in foster care, and may present emotional or behavioral challenges.
The T.A.P.S. Project, funded by the USF Collaborative for Children, Families and Communities, is aimed at informing the public about special needs adoption and the children most in need of families. It also promotes the enrichment and skill building experiences of the children, which, in turn, increases their self-esteem, and the likelihood of adoption.
The schedule of performances includes:
Sunday, March 24, 2002 at 1:30 p.m. Friday, April 5, 2002 at 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 14, 2002 at 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 24, 2002 at 7:00 p.m. The Banyan Research and Training Center provides training to families, children, community members, and professionals in the area of special needs adoptions.
Beulah Baptist – Lowery Center
1006 W. Cypress Street, Tampa
V.I.P. World Deliverance
10024 N 30th Street, Tampa
Abundant Life
4125 W. Nassau Street, Tampa
Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center – Rehearsal Hall
1010 N. MacInnes Place, Tampa