Building a Foster Care A.R.M.Y.

22 Jul Building a Foster Care A.R.M.Y.

A.R.M.Y.

Being a foster advocate or parent with no connection to resources, advocacy, and education is like a soldier going into battle with no army. The battle will be tough to win alone. This has been the reality for most of the foster community for quite some time. Many parents and advocates are navigating their journey with no army, no support, and no resources. 

This can lead to feeling overwhelmed and unequipped to handle the weight of being a foster advocate and parent. But that is what we at Foster Coalition are here to help fix! 

In our mission to provide resources, advocacy, and education to make positive changes in the foster community, we form connections and bring awareness of available resources to foster families and organizations. We recruit workers, organizations, church ministry leaders, and individuals to build a stronger, more united foster community. 

So, let’s build our ARMY:

A – Advocacy

Through advocacy, we fight for the well-being of children and families in the foster world. We bring awareness to the realities of the system, of organizations that are formed to support foster families during their journey, give the foster world a voice through speaking up about their experience with trauma, abuse and neglect, and so on. Some ways we do this is through education, awareness on social media, and on our podcast that is coming soon!

There is support out there for everyone, but there is often little awareness of its presence. Foster families need support but do not know where to find it. Children deserve to be advocated for and their truths be heard. We want to give the foster community a voice to speak out about their experiences so more people can feel inclined to step up and get involved. 

Let us choose today to start advocating for these hurting, needy children and their families. Lets all come together and provide much needed support. They deserve a better life!

R – Resources and Education

When a soldier runs out of water or ammo, what does he do? He may look to his brothers and sisters to see if they have any to spare. But if he has no army, then what is he left with? 

The foster community is starving, thirsty, and running low on defenses. We want to win the battle by providing a child with a safe, loving home of permanency. Their needs must be met and their future be set up for success. In order to help make that happen, resources and education are necessary reinforcements. 

Foster Coalition works to connect organizations together and create more awareness of their presence to the community. We do this through our brainstorming sessions, Foster Ministry Fellowships, community outreach, and social media awareness. We also provide education on foster parenting and trauma through conferences, events, and social media. We hope that in doing this, we are recruiting stronger, more equipped soldiers to go into battle to save these children and families.

M – Ministry

Many churches are not involved in the foster community. This is likely because they are unaware of the full-extent of needs that exist. Many ministries are not educated on trauma, abuse, and neglect. If someone in the church is not educated on trauma and their response leaves a negative impact on the traumatized child, the child or family is unlikely to return to that environment again. That is often why many foster families, especially youth, have stopped attending church. 

Foster Coalition is here to try to improve trauma and foster care education for churches to be better equipped to handle children who have Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). A ministry’s support would make such a huge impact on a family or child in need. Their support in the foster community would bring amazing strength to our army. 

Y – Youth

Remember why we are doing this: better lives for foster youth. When you go into battle, you must have something in mind you are fighting for. Foster youth are who the foster community is fighting for. These children deserve to have safe, stable lives, to heal from their trauma, and be supported to have a life of success as they grow into a life of independence. 

Remember, you can always say “yes” to something. Whether it is opening your home to a foster child, volunteering with organizations as an advocate, donating to organizations and shelters designed to support foster families, spread awareness, or even lend a hand to a neighbor or friend who is fostering. There are so many ways to say, “Yes, I will get involved! Yes, I will stand up and fight for these children’s well-being and the strong families that care for them!” Check out our resource page here to find ways to get involved, or contact us at info@fostercoalition.org to see how you can help. 

Many foster youth age out of the system before their case is closed. They are often pushed into a life of independence with little to no resources and support. It is important we support them in their growth, get active to make positive changes in the system to set them up for success, advocate and spread awareness to their cause, and connect youth aging out to resources as they start their adult lives. Let’s build an army to support these foster children and families.

There are many ways to take steps to support the foster community. Visit our website to learn more about how to do this and find resources to connect with. If you or someone you know is fostering and is in need of resources, check out our resource page on the website or contact us. Subscribe to our newsletter to get updates on events and news happening with Foster Coalition and the foster community. If you would like to make a difference in these foster children’s lives, donate here to help support the mission to improve the lives of foster families. 

There is strength in numbers, so let’s build our ARMY and fight for vulnerable families together!

Please share this with everyone you know! We need as many soldiers as we can get. YOU have the chance to change these children’s lives.