Richmond hosts Hike With Your Heart to support older foster youth

The Richmond community came together on Saturday for Hike With Your Heart, an event aimed at helping older children in foster care find permanent families, WTVR CBS 6 reported.

Hosted by Kidsave, an international nonprofit, the hike raises awareness and money to support older youth in foster care and connect them with adoptive families and caring adults. Kidsave's Richmond program is approaching its second anniversary.

Mark Green, a Kidsave board member and event creator, said the event's goals include bringing the community together, creating connections with Kidsave, raising funds, and involving the children themselves.

Some families attending the event are also taking steps toward adoption. Mark Stricherz and his wife, for example, are planning to adopt a girl in the program and attend the event as part of the process.

Events like Hike With Your Heart provide opportunities to support children in foster care, especially since meeting kids in the system can be challenging, according to Stricherz.