Sympathizing with the struggles faced by children in foster care and foster parents is something most people can relate to. You see advertisements for foster programs ad your heart goes out to them, but you and your family aren’t able to foster children in your own home. If you can’t be a foster parent, what can you do to contribute to their cause? Here is a list of suggestions based on the missions of charity organizations for children around the world.
Partner with a Youth Organization
If you’re looking for a way to help children and teens in your community without opening your home for foster care, consider working with a local charity foundation that assists troubled teens or at-risk youth. These kids are always in need of support – and the more genuinely committed adults they have in their lives, the better chances of positive outcomes they’ll have after leaving the foster care system.
Consider Respite Care
Did you know that some foster care providers do not actually house children in their homes for long stretches of time? Some providers offer what is known as respite care. This is a temporary arrangement – usually one to three days – in which a foster child will stay with a family other than their usual foster providers to allow those providers a short break. Just as biological children may go stay with grandparents or other relatives, foster children are able to enjoy a break from their usual routine while their foster parents rest and relax. Respite caregivers are needed all over the United States, as foster parents are often very busy and in need of breaks!
Create Gifts and Welcome Boxes
Children who are placed into foster care often come in with little more than the clothes on their backs. This is why presenting them with gifts of basic necessities and comfort items is so important in their first hours and days in care. These boxes are great donations items, and may include some of the following:
- Blankets
- Stuffed animals
- Hygiene items
- Coloring books and crayons
- Simple toys
- Books
- School supplies and more
Donate
There are so many ways you can donate to help children in foster care and their caregivers. Charity organizations for children like Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation provide safe, educational, meaningful activities for kids of all ages. The activities and resources they provide for both children in foster care and their providers are invaluable in improving the development and growth of every participant and family. Donating to organizations like these is the best way to get involved with the foster care system– and can make all the difference to a foster child!