Federal authorities say more than 60,000 migrant children have shown up alone at the U.S.-Mexico border since Oct. 1, 2018.

A local organization is hiring foster parents to help care unaccompanied kids.

Phoenix-based Neighborhood Ministries said it has partnered with the federal government to care for migrant children who come to the United States alone. Their new program is called Nueva Esperanza, or new hope.

Instead of having kids sleep in a shelter, Neighborhood Ministries is hiring more than 20 state-licensed foster parents. The organization hopes to start caring for migrant children by September.

Baltimore-based Lutheran Immigrant and Refugee Service also sets up foster care for migrant children in the country by themselves. The organization seeks families sensitive to language and cultural differences, said Krish O'Mara Vignarajah, president and CEO.    

“But (they) also can foster the love, support and safety that is associated with traditional foster care,” she said.