Hanover County recognized as one of America's best communities | Community Spirit

Hanover County has been recognized as being one of America’s “100 Best Communities for Young People”. One of the programs cited by the America’s Promise Alliance and ING in the most recent award was the “Hanover Care for Kids” program offered by the County’s Department of Social Services, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary.

Established in 2001, the Hanover Cares for Kids program helps meet the day-to-day needs of children and youth in foster care.  Karlyne Snead, coordinator of the program, notes that the program’s goal is to make the foster care experience as normal as possible and ensure children have the basics.

For example, children coming into foster care may need such items as shoes, clothes or toys. Children about to leave foster care and enter the world of young adulthood may help with such items as class rings, school pictures and furnishings for their new apartment.

“Every child deserves to know their needs will be met and to feel comforted that they fit into our community and have  the support of caring adults,” Snead says. “That’s what we’re all about.”

Because financial resources are limited, Social Services solicits both private and corporate sponsors to help provide some of the ‘extras’ that many see as basic. “Being able to see a movie, get the must-have toy of the year or participate in extracurricular activities may be out of reach for children in foster care,” Snead explains.

On average, the program receives $8,000-$10,000 in donations and sponsorships per year.  Currently, 20 sponsors are serving 23 children and sponsors are needed for six other children.

“We want to offer smooth transitions for young people experiencing change – whether it is moving into foster care, or moving from foster care into the world of young adulthood, and ultimately into the world of work and becoming productive, contributing members of our community,” Snead says.

In addition to “Cares for Kids”, the Hanover Department of Social Services also provides Independent Living Training. Topics include academic support, career preparation, employment and vocational training and life skills such as how to budget, pay bills and find housing. 

Anyone interested in volunteering to mentor or sponsor a child should call Karlyne Snead at the Hanover Department of Social Services, 365-4165.

Hanover’s Care for Kids program also won an Achievement Award from the Virginia Association of Counties in 2003