Utah Foster Care Foundation's Annual Chalk Art Festival, now in its tenth year, brings together more than 20,000 observers with about 125 participating artists. Chalk artists put the finishing touches on their works late Saturday afternoon at the Gateway Mall in Salt Lake City, with winners announced at 6 p.m.
More than 2,600 Utah children live in foster care, according to the Utah Foster Care Foundation (UFCF). Established in 1999 by Utah lawmakers and Gov. Mike Leavitt, the foundation works to find, train and maintain a steady flow of foster families for children in need. Utah children are placed in foster families by the Utah Division of Child & Family Services.
It's estimated that more than half of all children in foster care were removed from their first homes due to substance abuse by their biological parents. The foundation maintains seven offices throughout Utah.