Community Service Spotlight
Editor’s Note: There are over 100 organizations in Whatcom County working to provide supportive services to those experiencing chronic poverty and its associated effects: addiction, homelessness, incarceration, mental illness, and unemployment. We have contacted the organization appearing in this column and asked them to explain their mission.
by Shala Crow
Every child deserves stability, love, and the opportunity to thrive. However, for thousands of children in foster care, this reality is oft en uncertain. These children have been removed from their homes due to abuse, neglect, or other crises, leaving them vulnerable and in need of support. That’s where Foster Hearts, a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving foster youth in Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish, and Island Counties, comes in. Through essential programs and community-driven initiatives, Foster Hearts provides critical resources that help foster children develop, grow, and succeed despite the challenges they face.
How Foster Hearts Began
Foster Hearts was founded with a simple yet powerful mission: to enhance the lives of children in foster care by providing essential resources, enrichment opportunities, and advocacy. Recognizing the overwhelming needs of foster children and families, we started by offering basic necessities — clothing, hygiene products, and comfort items — to children entering the foster system. As the demand for support grew, so did our programs, expanding to include enrichment opportunities, food assistance, and first-night essentials.
Today, Foster Hearts is a pillar of support for foster youth, ensuring that they have access to the same opportunities as their peers and helping to build a brighter future for children in care.
Our Four Core Programs
Foster Hearts operates four main programs, each designed to address the unique challenges that foster children face and provide them with the tools to thrive.
1. Foster Hearts Store
Many children enter foster care with only the clothes on their backs, often in the middle of the night or with little warning. The Foster Hearts Store provides free clothing, shoes, and personal hygiene products to foster children. By offering new and gently used clothing in a dignified, store-like environment, we ensure that children feel valued and comfortable. This service not only provides essentials, but also helps foster families alleviate financial burdens, ensuring they can focus on providing a nurturing and supportive home environment.
2. Fun 4 Fosters
Every child deserves the opportunity to explore their passions, engage in extracurricular activities, and build life skills. Fun 4 Fosters provides funding for foster children to participate in sports, music, dance, art, STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) programs, and other enrichment activities. These experiences are vital for personal growth, social development, and self-esteem. Many foster children struggle with feelings of isolation, and participating in extracurricular activities helps them connect with peers, develop confidence, and gain valuable life experiences that contribute to their long-term success.
3. Care Kits
The transition into foster care is often traumatic. Children are removed from their homes under difficult circumstances and placed in an unfamiliar environment. To ease this transition, Foster Hearts provides Care Kits, which include first-night necessities such as hygiene products, pajamas, stuff ed animals, books, and comfort items. These kits help provide a sense of security and stability, showing foster children that they are cared for during one of the most challenging times in their lives.
4. Food 4 Fosters
Food insecurity is a common issue among children in foster care. Food 4 Fosters ensures that children waiting in Child Protective Services (CPS) offices have access to nutritious meals and snacks. Often, these children spend hours in CPS offices while placements are arranged, and having access to food provides comfort and stability during an uncertain time. This program also provides grocery gift cards and food assistance for foster families who may struggle to meet the needs of multiple children in their care.
Supporting Foster Children Matters
Foster children face unique challenges that can impact their long-term well-being. Studies show that children in foster care are more likely to experience educational disruptions, mental health struggles, and difficulties transitioning into adulthood. Without proper support, many foster youth struggle to break the cycle of adversity. Programs like those provided by Foster Hearts are critical for childhood development in the following ways:
- Promoting Stability: Access to basic needs, such as clothing, food, and hygiene products, helps create a sense of normalcy for children in care.
- Encouraging Healthy Development: Extra-curricular activities improve social skills, self-confidence, and emotional well-being.
- Reducing Educational Barriers: Providing school supplies and support ensures that foster youth have the resources needed to succeed academically.
- Fostering Independence: Life skills training and support for aging-out youth help prepare them for a successful future.
How the Community Can Help
Supporting Foster Hearts is an opportunity for the community to come together and make a lasting impact on the lives of vulnerable children. There are several ways individuals, businesses, and organizations can contribute:
1. Donate
Foster Hearts relies on generous donations to sustain its programs. Community members can contribute in the following ways:
- Financial donations: Help fund the purchase of clothing, food, and extra-curricular activities.
- In-kind donations: New or like-new used clothing, shoes, hygiene products, school supplies, and comfort items are always needed.
- Corporate sponsorships: Businesses can support Foster Hearts by sponsoring specific programs or hosting fundraising events.
2. Volunteer
Volunteers are the heart of our organization. Whether sorting and distributing donations at the Foster Hearts Store, assembling Care Kits, or assisting at fundraising events, there are countless ways to get involved. Local businesses and community groups can also organize donation drives or participate in corporate volunteer days.
3. Advocate and Spread Awareness
Foster care is often overlooked in community discussions. Raising awareness about the challenges foster children face and advocating for policies that support foster youth can lead to systemic change. Sharing Foster Hearts’ mission on social media, attending community meetings, or reaching out to local representatives can make a difference.
Building a Brighter Future
Every child deserves the chance to grow up in a supportive and loving environment. Foster Hearts is committed to bridging the gap for foster youth, ensuring they receive the resources, care, and opportunities they need to thrive. By supporting foster children, we are strengthening the future of our communities and ensuring that every child, no matter their circumstances, has the chance to succeed.
We invite you to join us in making a difference. Whether through donations, volunteering, or advocacy, your support helps foster youth build a brighter and more stable future. Visit www.foster-hearts.com or contact us at contact@fosterhearts. com to learn more about how you can help support children in foster care today.
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Shala Crow is the founder and executive director of Foster Hearts and has worked with social service nonprofits since 2006.
