The Importance of Foster Care Awareness Month: We Can All Do Something

May is National Foster Care Awareness Month, a time to honor the resilience of children in foster care, celebrate the dedication of foster families, and raise awareness about the urgent need for support within the foster care system. With over 400,000 children in foster care across the United States, this month serves as a powerful reminder of our collective responsibility, especially as believers (James 1:27), to ensure every child has a safe, loving, and stable home. Today we are spotlighting two incredible organizations - Risefamily.org and Packsofhope.org - that are making a tangible difference in the lives of foster children and families.

Risefamily.org: Empowering Foster and Adoptive Families

Risefamily.org exists to support foster and adoptive families with the goal of seeing every child Rise to their full potential. They provide practical and relational support through things like: meals, laundry, and encouragement with the goal of keeping foster parents in the game longer. There are several ways you can help such as: joining a rise team, joining a special ops team, donating, and praying.

By equipping families with knowledge and support, Risefamily.org helps create nurturing environments where children can heal and grow. Their work is a testament to the power of community in transforming the foster care experience.

PacksofHope.org: Delivering Comfort and Care

Packs of Hope is a nonprofit with a heartfelt mission to provide backpacks filled with essential items to children entering foster care. For many children entering foster care is a sudden and traumatic experience, often leaving them with little more than the clothes on their backs. Packs of Hope steps in to offer comfort and dignity during this challenging transition.

Each backpack is carefully packed with age appropriate essentials, such as:

• Clothing and shoes

• Toiletries

• School supplies

• Comfort items such as blankets, stuffed animals, and books

These backpacks do more than provide practical support; they send a powerful message to children that they are seen, valued, and cared for.

How You Can Get Involved

Foster Care Awareness Month is a call to action for all of us to support children and families in foster care. Here are a few ways you can make a difference with Rise Family and Packs of Hope:

1. Donate: Both organizations rely on donations to sustain their programs. Consider making a financial contribution to Risefamily.org to fund support groups and children aging out of foster care, or donate to Packsofhope.org to provide backpacks for children entering foster care.

2. Volunteer: Packs of Hope welcomes volunteers to help pack backpacks or organize community drives. Risefamily.org offers opportunities to be part of a support team or assist with events. Your time can make a meaningful impact.

3. Pray and Spread Awareness: Every one of us has the ability and responsibility to pray for the foster care system and all involved: children, families, case workers, judges, and organizations like Rise and Packs of Hope. Share the missions of these organizations on social media, with friends, or in your community. Raising awareness about their work can inspire others to get involved.

A Brighter Future For Foster Children

Foster Care Awareness Month reminds us that every child deserves a chance to thrive, and organizations like Risefamily.org and PacksofHope.org are leading the way in making that vision a reality. By providing education, resources, and practical support, they empower families and uplift children during some of their most vulnerable moments.

As we celebrate this month, let's honor the resilience of children in foster care and the compassion of those who support them. Together, we can amplify the impact of organizations like Rise and Packs of Hope, ensuring that every child in foster care is loved, valued, and hopeful for a brighter future.

Join the movement this May - visit Risefamily.org and PacksofHope.org to learn how you can make a difference today!