You Don’t Have to Foster to Make a Difference đź’›

Not everyone was meant to foster, but here are a variety of creative and meaningful ways that you can support struggling kids (and families) in your community. Below are just a few ideas.

Practical Support

  • Respite Care: You can become licensed to provide short-term “respite” for children and youth in out-of-home care.
  • Babysitting: Know a foster parent or overwhelmed caregiver? Offer to keep the kids occupied for a few hours so the caregiver can run errands or enjoy some downtime.
  • Household: Offer to help with activities such as meal preparation, yardwork, cleaning, transportation to appointments, or running errands.
  • Donate items to a “foster closet.” These are non-profit “resource centers” that provide clothing and other needed items for children/youth entering out-of-home care. (See Resources Section)
  • School Related: Support might look like helping with morning drop-off, tutoring, or offering to serve as a backup for emergencies.

Advocacy

  • Become a CASA Volunteer (Court Appointed Special Advocate). There are organizations that train volunteers to advocate for abused and neglected children in foster care or under court-ordered protection. (See Resources Section)
  • Recruitment: Help spread the word about the need for loving, nurturing foster homes.
  • Mentor Struggling Parents: If you see or know of a struggling family, offer non-judgmental support and assistance.
  • Volunteer: Many churches and community organizations have programs, such as Welcomed https://www.welcomed.org/, that support foster families.

Whether it is reaching out to a recently reunified family you know or making an extra batch of lasagna for the stressed-out single parent two doors down, we can all contribute to supporting those who are caring for our most vulnerable kids and families.

Recommended Resources