HELP A CHILD WITHOUT BECOMING A FOSTER PARENT: HOW “FOSTER TOGETHER” SUPPORTS FAMILIES

Fostering. It sounds like a big word. It sounds like an important word. It sounds like an impossible word. For most people, just thinking about the brokenness of the families and children in the foster care system sounds overwhelmingly upsetting + heartbreaking. It feels like there is almost nothing that you can do to truly help children and families in the foster care system.

According to the AFCARS report (Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System):

• On any given day, 443,000 children are in foster care in the United States

• The average age of kids entering foster care is 8 years old

• In 2017, 69,000 children were waiting to be adopted

• More than 17,000 youth age out of foster care without experiencing a permanent home

Despite the enormous need in the United States for stable foster homes, foster parents are quitting within the first year of having a child in their home. According to Foster Together, “children need families, and families need support.” The hidden truth is that service is still necessary after a child finds a foster or adopted home: families need support too.

Did you know, you don’t actually have to be a foster parent to help a child in foster care? 

Foster Together is a “match-making” organization that pairs foster families with community members & neighbors that want to help. All the neighbor needs to do is show up for one family, once a month, with one simple meal. From providing babysitting and transportation to providing meals, clothes, and toys, Foster Together gives you the opportunity to give a foster family the support they need within 10 miles of your home, as well as building a stable & consistent connection with a foster child. You will fill out an application, turn in a background check, and go through a two hour training to help you prepare for the journey. Listen to their podcasts that can give you insight, perspective, and practical ways to help foster families and children. 

To finish up the 2019 year, Foster Together is looking for people willing to make an investment in children and families. With only $6,000, Foster Together can see an entire county where a neighbor is paired with every foster family. Their goal is to:

• Match 400 foster families with a neighbor volunteer

• Create new podcast and video series to spread the word

• Train teams to replicate Foster Together in different cities & states around the nation. 

   

 To help be a part of the solution to a broken system, consider giving a one time gift toward their goal or a monthly donation. Passionate about foster care, but find it difficult to know where to start? Spread the word about Foster Together by sharing this, and let your friends, family, & community members know that people like you and me can be a part of the solution today!