How to Support Youth in Foster Care and Their Foster Families
- Provide Respite: Respite is short term care for youth who are in foster care. Respite can be for a few hours to a few weeks, depending on the needs of the foster family and youth in foster care. Learn more at https://www.maplestaror.org/respite-care-supporting-foster-youth-and-families/
- Support a foster family: Foster families are busy with appointments, school work, and teaching new skills, especially when a new youth moves in. A great way to help support foster families is to bring over freezer meals on the days where there isn’t time to cook, or be a homework helper to prevent power struggles with foster parents, or help with lawn care. This type of help allows foster families to put their focus where it matters most-the youth.
- Become a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate): A CASA is a volunteer that is appointed to by a judge to advocate for a child’s best interest in court. CASAs help judges develop a fuller picture of each child’s life. Their advocacy enables judges to make the most well-informed decision for each child. Find out more at https://casaforchildren.org/advocate-for-children/be-a-casa-volunteer/
- Volunteer
- Department of Human Services Child Welfare (Statewide): https://www.oregon.gov/DHS/PROVIDERS-PARTNERS/VOLUNTEER/Pages/Index.aspx
- Embrace Oregon (Statewide): www.embraceoregon.org/join/volunteer
- Morrison Child and Family Services (Portland): https://morrisonkids.org/ways-to-give/volunteer/
- Trillium Family Services (Portland): https://trilliumfamily.org/support-trillium/volunteer/
- With Love (Portland): https://www.withloveoregon.org/get-involved
- A Family for Every Child (Eugene and Portland): https://www.afamilyforeverychild.org/volunteer-intern-positions/
- Portland Children’s Levy (Portland): http://www.portlandchildrenslevy.org/about/volunteer-opportunities
- Kinship House (Portland): https://kinshiphouse.org/participate
- Catholic Community Services (Salem):https://www.ccswv.org/home-page/can-help/volunteer/
- Project Lemonade (Portland):https://www.projectlemonadepdx.org/volunteer-opportunities
- Every Child (statewide): https://everychildoregon.org/resources/volunteer/
- Bags of Love. Inc (Eugene): https://bagsofloveinc.org/volunteer/
- Royal Family Kids (Statewide): https://rfk.org/get-involved/
- Looking Glass (Eugene): https://www.lookingglass.us/get-involved
- Citizen’s Review Board (Statewide): https://www.courts.oregon.gov/programs/crb/volunteer/Pages/default.aspx#
- Donate
- Bloomin’ Boutique http://www.bloominboutique.org/index.html
- Project Lemonade: https://www.projectlemonadepdx.org/how-to-donate
- Foster Closet: http://www.fosterclosetinc.org/volunteer
- With Love: https://www.withloveoregon.org/donate
- Children’s Book Bank: childrensbookbank.org
- Oregon Community Partners: https://www.oregoncommunityprograms.org/donations/
- Vote for candidates and laws that support our youth in foster care and foster families
- Mentor
- A family for Every Child: https://www.afamilyforeverychild.org/mentor-program/
- The Next Door: https://nextdoorinc.org/gym/
- Education: It is important to stay on top of the happenings in the foster care world. Most people do not even realize how many children are in foster care in their state or how they can get involved. Visit https://www.fosterfocusmag.com/ for monthly news about foster care!