4 Ways To Get Involved in Foster Care
There is a common misconception that the only way to get involved in the lives of foster children is to become a foster parent. Being a foster parent is noble and needed; however, it is a calling. You will never hear me trying to coerce someone into becoming a foster parent. Instead, I will let God work on the hearts of those He wants to become foster or adoptive parents.
Below I have put together a list of 4 ways you can get involved with foster children that do not include becoming a foster parent. They include a variety of time and money commitments. I would love to hear any additional ideas you might have! Comment on Facebook, Instagram, or shoot me an e-mail { lindseyakennedy@outlook.com }. Your idea(s) might even show up in a future post?!
1. Provide a Meal:
Tim and I were showered with people bringing us meals when Luke was born. This food nourished my body as well as my soul in this time of great transition. Luke needed our undivided attention and I was learning how to be a mommy. These meals took a lot of responsibility off of my plate as well as gave us a chance to see close friends during a time when we had to stay a little closer to home. When a foster child is placed in a home, the entire family units needs a lot of time together. Remember, they just met one another! Bringing a meal to a foster family will give them extra time to bond as well as help the child meet new friends in a safe environment.
2. Welcome Box:
An interesting reality in foster care is that most emergency removals occur at the end of the day. So…children are removed from their parents sometime between getting out of school and dinner time, and they are introduced to their new foster family sometime between dinner and bedtime. They usually come to their new foster home with the clothes on their backs and a backpack of belongings. That means: no diapers, no pajamas, no extra clothes, no special comfort toy, no favorite toothpaste, the list goes on. That also means the foster family usually has 1-2 hours of notice to “adequately” prepare for the children’s arrival. They may or may not have diapers and clothing in the sizes the children need. Even a 9:00pm Wal-Mart run won’t get them completely prepared. A Welcome Box is a great way for 1 family or several families to help support a foster family. {We are actually about to ask small groups at our church to become Welcome Box groups.} About $100 - $150 could put together a great box/basket/gift bag of clothing, shoes, toiletries, diapers, formula, and a special toy or 2. This might be the first time these children have received brand new clothes or a toy of their very own!
3. Buddy
Many foster agencies and group homes {homes where house-parents provide care for many foster children} have a “Buddy” or mentoring program. An individual or family can go through a short screening process in order to become a buddy for a child or sibling group. A child might join you when you go to a movie, church, out to eat, or to a ballgame. The child could also just come hang out at your house on a Saturday afternoon to see how your family works. Foster children have seen abuse, neglect, drug use, domestic violence, etc. It would be great for a child to see how a healthy family works; they have no other reference than the home they were removed from.
4. Respite
Foster families cannot hire a babysitter as easily as I can. All childcare providers must go through training and Federal background checks. This attempt to keep foster children safe often leaves foster parents unable to go on dates or possibly even a family wedding {each child must receive a judge’s approval before leaving the county which can take weeks if permission is granted at all}. Respite care is a great way to support a foster family and spend time with some really cool kids. This avenue does require a larger time commitment upfront due to the screening process. Once the screening process is over, you can choose how often you would like to provide respite. I think respite care is especially great for close friends of foster families or anyone who is considering fostering.
These are just a few ways to get involved with foster children and their foster families. Think about what you or your family is good at and enjoys doing. Then use those talents to bless the lives of others! Again, I would love to hear other ways you support or could support foster children and their foster families. Shoot me an e-mail { lindseyakennedy@outlook.com } or comment on Facebook or Instagram.
Photos courtesy of wix.com gallery.