One week from this Friday will mark three years since the tragic deaths of two young brothers, Mark and Jacob Iskander, who were struck by a hit-and-run driver while crossing a Westlake Village crosswalk with their family.
Their mother, Nancy Iskander, told KNX reporter Margaret Carrero that her boys weren't given the chance to change the world, "Their life was cut short. So it's now on us to do it on their behalf."
Nancy and her husband love children, so the first thing that came to her mind was foster care. And with that, the idea for the Mark and Jacob Foster Care Ministry was born.
She hopes to have the foster care agency up and running by the end of the year, ready to provide assistance throughout the entire foster process.
Nancy said, "It's not only that there are so many children who need help, there's also, 50% of parents who take on a foster child will quit being foster parents within a year."
She wants to use the agency to provide families with the tools to foster children for a longer time.
"The agency will be with you along the way. So, let's say you want to foster a child today. We're gonna make sure you have the training you need, the resources you need, the referrals you need today, and then once placements happen, we're with you," Nancy said - providing weekly support groups, educational tools, clothing, car seats, and more.
The agency will initially serve Ventura County, and Nancy said they welcome support, "You can support financially if you like, you can donate furniture," and even host a play date for siblings placed in different homes.
You can send an email to markandjacobfostercareministry@gmail.com for any information.
A Walk for Mark and Jacob is also being held next Friday, Sept. 29, marking three years since their deaths, to honor the boys and remind everyone to "slow down and save lives."
It will begin at Three Springs Park in Westlake Village and end at the site of the tragic event that took place in 2020.
You can sign up for the walk here, and all donations collected will go directly to the new foster family agency.
Socialite Rebecca Grossman is accused of hitting and killing the boys, and she is set to stand trial in January for murder and other charges.
Grossman was allegedly driving under the influence and speeding when she struck the Iskander brothers.
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