Proclamations for National Foster Care Awareness Month and Scoliosis Awareness Day were presented by Mayor Martin Tucker during a recent meeting of Durant City Council.
May is National Foster Care Awareness Month and Tucker presented a proclamation to Connie Pettitt, executive director of J127 Ministry that serves women ages 17-25 that have aged out of the foster care system.
J127 provides the young women transitional housing, life skills development, mentorship, advocacy and traumainformed support services.
“Whereas National Foster Care Awareness Month provides an opportunity to recognize the resilience of foster youth and the importance of community partnerships that offer hope, healing and longterm support and whereas the city recognizes the importance of raising awareness regarding the ongoing needs of those aging out of the foster care system,” Tucker said, reading from the proclamation.
Tucker presented a proclamation to 11-year-old Karleigh Miles of Durant designating June 29 as Scoliosis Awareness Day in Durant. Scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the spine that affects two to three percent of the population, the proclamation states.
Lucretia Carter is Kar- leigh’s mother, and she said in an email that Karleigh holds the title of National United Miss Southern Plains Preteen. “Through her platform, Bracefully Karleigh, she advocates for scoliosis awareness, early detection, and helping other children feel confident and supported during their scoliosis journey,” Carter said.
Carter said the initiative was inspired by her daughter’s scoliosis journey and her hope of bringing the community together to support children and families affected by scoliosis. Although the proclamation states June 29 is Scoliosis Awareness Day in Durant, June 26 is National Scoliosis Awareness Day and Carter said that Karleigh’s goal is to encourage everyone in Durant and the surrounding communities to wear green on June 26 to help spread awareness, encourage early detection, and remind children with scoliosis that they are seen, supported, and not alone.
“She is incredibly excited and honored to represent both Durant and the Choctaw community through her advocacy work, and she hopes this movement will continue to grow and inspire others to get involved,” Carter said.
