Chosen Inc. Announces Sept. 9 Walk on the Wild Side for Foster Care

Waukesha, Wis. – Chosen Inc. (“Chosen”), a non-profit ministry dedicated to supporting and educating about foster and adoptive parenting, will once again fill the Milwaukee County Zoo with supporters Sept. 9 at its Walk on the Wild Side for Foster Care.

The event supports the ever-growing reach of Chosen, which is dedicated to “Fostering Forever Families” through spiritual, material, and emotional support for families built around adoption and foster parenting. Chosen operates two Family Closets in Waukesha and West Allis, where it provides clothing and children’s items to families.

The sixth annual event features all-day admission to the zoo. Registration opens at 9 a.m. The one-mile walk begins at 10 a.m.

The event’s popular scavenger hunt returns, where families can get passports stamped at stations staffed by Chosen team members and event sponsors. All completed passports are eligible for prizes. Those unable to attend, but wanting to provide support, are encouraged to purchase and donate tickets that families can use to participate.

“We’re thrilled to again walk with our supporters to raise awareness of the growing need for foster families to care for kids in crisis,” said Karen Schlindwein, Vice-President of Education and Development for Chosen. “We want to honor the tireless love of our current foster families, too.”

Nearly 8,000 children are in Wisconsin foster care, a 25 percent increase since 2012. Milwaukee County alone places 100 children a month with foster families.

Participants in the walk receive zoo admission, parking, lunch, swag bag and a T-shirt. Registration is available at https://choseninlove.networkforgood.com/events/56927-chosen-s-sixth-annual-walk-on-the-wild-side.

Devoted sponsors help make the Walk on the Wild Side possible: The Edge Contracting, Once Upon a Child-Brookfield, Bubon Orthodontics, CTAccess, Grady, Hayes & Neary, Wellpoint Care Network, Waukesha County Foster Care, Norris: Beyond Fostering and We Energies Foundation.

Since its founding in 2016, Chosen has served more than 550 families from 13 southeastern Wisconsin counties, caring for more than 1,225 foster or adopted children. Its two Family Closets have given away more than 35,500 items to families since May 2017.

Chosen is dedicated to educating the public about the impact of adoption and fostering, and providing spiritual, material, and emotional support to families who have chosen these oft-misunderstood paths. Chosen shares resource referrals to other organizations and professionals to help meet the needs of adoptive and foster families. Its long-term goals include opening a multi-family foster community to care for children in need of a loving home.

More information about Chosen is available at www.choseninlove.org, by calling (262) 724-6736, or following on Facebook at www.facebook.com/OurChosenFamily.