Over the coming weeks, I will be creating and updating this page on "Fostering Assistance." My ultimate goal is to provide at least 6-12 organizations per state that provide assistance to foster families and to youth aging out of care, as well as links to national organizations. I don't have much right now, but I will be working on this daily, so check back often. And if you know of any not-for-profit organizations in your state that are geared towards assisting foster children and their families, please email me links to their websites at I_MustBeTrippin@hotmail.com.
National:
- iFoster.org - iFoster.org is a National organization that provide resources for at-risk children and youth by partnering with major retailers, restaurants, services providers, etc. to offer discounts for families in need. They offer discounted rates on computers and cell phone plans, coupons for groceries, tips on improving computer skills, and question and answer forums.
Alabama:
Alaska:
Arizona:
- Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation - Promotes the self-esteem and enriches the lives of Arizona's foster children by funding activities, education, and other needs. Funding is available for recreational activities, tutoring, class pictures, senior rings, instrument rental, scholarships, etc.
Arkansas:
California:
Colorado:
Connecticut:
Delaware:
Florida:
Georgia:
- Foster Care Support Foundation - Partners with the state of Georgia to help meet the needs of Georgia's foster children. This particular organization has a wide variety of programs including assistance in meeting physical needs, free foster parent training, scholarships, and foster parent support.
Hawaii:
Idaho:
Illinois:
Indiana:
Iowa:
Kansas:
Kentucky:
Louisiana:
Maine:
Maryland:
Massachusetts:
Michigan:
Minnesota:
- Friends of Children Foundation - Supports foster children in Hennepin County by providing small grants (up to $500 per year) for goods and services such as instrument rentals, music lessons, sports equipment, and special interest camps. They also have a computer grant program offering graduating seniors planning to attend college up to $500 towards the purchase of a computer.
Mississippi:
Missouri:
- Ambassadors for Children - Supports abused and neglected children in Greene County with programs like the Kids' Clothes Closet, Adopt-a-Caseworker, Christmas Project, Project Self-Esteem, Tutoring, Pack-a-Bag with Love, and Prom Closet.
- Cherish Kids - A mission of the James River Assembly of God Church in Springfield, MO, Cherish Kids strives to raise awareness, offer resources, and provide support to local foster and adoptive families.
Nebraska:
Nevada:
New Hampshire:
New Jersey:
New Mexico:
New York:
North Carolina:
North Dakota:
Ohio:
Oklahoma:
Oregon:
Pennsylvania:
Rhode Island:
- Foster Forward - FF's mission in to empower lives impacted by foster care with programs that include mentoring, teaching life skills, foster parent support groups, holiday gifts, enrichment fund, teen grants, donations of cribs, beds, and clothes, etc.
South Carolina:
South Dakota:
Tennessee:
Texas:
- Friends of Wednesday's Child - "Bringing hope and healing to North Texas foster children" with programs geared towards providing clothing during their annual Winter Hugs and Warm Souls event that provides warm coats and shoes to foster children and Dress for Success that provides foster children 13 and up with gifts cards to purchase clothing for the first day of school. It provides educational opportunities, helps meet medical needs not covered by Medicaid, and assists in making memories and celebrating milestones.
- Christmas Wish Project - Provides Christmas gifts for foster children placed in Tarrant County homes as well as for Tarrant County foster children placed in adjacent county homes.
- Tapestry Adoption & Foster Care Ministry - A ministry at Irving Bible Church in North Texas, Tapestry's focus is to connect, encourage, and equip foster and adoptive families.
Utah:
Vermont:
Virginia:
- Treehouse for Kids - This Seattle-based organization strives to give foster children a childhood and a future with programs ranging from financial assistance for dance lessons and summer camp to Christmas gifts to a free store where eligible youth can "shop" up to five times a year.
- Capital Kids Connection - Promotes self esteem and enriches the lives of children in foster care in Thurston, Mason, and Cowlitz counties by providing resources, opportunities, and activies.
Washington DC:
West Virginia:
Wisconsin:
Wyoming: