Help Foster Families During the Holidays

17 Dec Help Foster Families During the Holidays

As Christmas approaches, it is important to remember what the holiday is really about: The sign of hope and love through the gift of Jesus. When thinking about love, hope and giving, it is important to keep in mind the struggling foster families that may need help during the holidays. Many may not have the ability to provide gifts for their loved ones, or have family to give gifts to at all. Others may be struggling emotionally or mentally with stress that comes with the holidays. In showing foster families love and hope through generosity and support, we can offer help to those in need. 

How do we do that?

Financial stress is common during the holidays, especially while working to provide for a family. This is even more true for foster families who may have multiple kids to provide for, or children who have aged out of the system and are trying to support themselves. Offering donations, whether it’s money towards nonprofit organizations, toy drives, shelters, or even personal contributions to a specific family, can help give their loved ones a wonderful Christmas and ease financial stress.

Volunteer to help organize and run toy drives, events to provide resources and education, or personally offer a service to someone you know. Sometimes, just an extra hand is all anyone needs. 

Provide emotional support. Emotions run high during the holidays and end of the year, and being a support system for struggling foster families is very important. Have patience, empathy, and provide safety and security for them. 

Many foster children carry traditions with them to their foster family. It is extremely important to maintain their values and allow them to keep their traditions. This reminds them that they are unique and special. Not everyone celebrates the holidays the same way, and shutting their traditions out can only hinder their wellbeing. 

Find ways to connect foster families with their relatives. Organizing visits or fun outings with their loved ones can provide emotional support, feel surrounded by family, rather than feeling isolated.

We also encourage you to read Blake Johnson’s article, The Three Grand Essentials of Life. During the holidays, hope, love, and passion can sometimes be futile for those going through rough times. Blake talks about the importance of finding something to pursue, love, and hope for. For those struggling with stress, money, loss of hope or passion, and lack of love or feeling loved, the 3 Grand Essentials can help change your focus on life. He explains how joy and blessings can be achieved, “when you can appreciate the things you have, instead of focusing on the things you do not,” (Johnson). Casting out negativity by focusing on hope and love with a bit of passion, life can look a bit brighter. 

There are many ways to get help out a foster family, or anyone, during the holidays. These are merely just a few. In this season of giving, find a way to provide resources and support for foster families throughout the holidays. Don’t forget what this Christmas holiday is all about in the midst of all the presents, decorations, food, and music. There is hope, love, and reasons to give to others as Jesus did for us.

Reference:

Johnson, Blake. “The Three Grand Essentials of Life.” Feb. 2, 2018, from https://blakebjohnson.com/blog/2018/2/2/the-three-grand-essentials-of-life