RACINE -- What if you knew their stories? That's the question posed to the Racine County community in a new video created by the Foster Care department in support of its Keep Them Home initiative.

"We know that foster kids have better outcomes when they stay close to their families, friends, and schools," said Dan Chiappetta. "We need more local foster homes to achieve the goal of never placing a foster child outside of their community.”

The powerful new video shares the internal thoughts and feelings of foster children as portrayed by young actors. By raising awareness of the trauma and struggles actual foster children experience, Racine County Foster Care hopes to inspire the community to open its heart and its homes to youth in need.

If we Keep Them Home:

• Settling into a foster family is less traumatic

• Likelihood of staying with siblings is increased

• Emotional and mental wellbeing is more stable

• Success in school, activities, and relationships is increased

• More likely to be reunified with their birth families

To learn more about foster care or Racine County's Keep Them Home campaign, visit racinecounty.gov/FosterCare or call 262-638-6356 to discuss your questions with a foster care specialist. Follow Racine County Foster Care on Facebook.