Thank you for reading this post and your love for foster kids and foster families! Children are placed in foster care as a temporary solution when they are not able to live with their family of origin due to abuse or neglect. Children in foster care are going through a difficult life situation and need a loving, supportive community around them.
If you feel called to consider becoming a foster parent, please click here to read more about how to become a foster parent.
But – not everyone is called to become a foster parent and that is okay! Here are 13 helpful ways to support foster care without being foster parents. (UPDATE: This was originally 15 WAYS but to of the programs are no longer in service.)
We were foster parents for 6 years to 35 foster children, and we adopted 2 children. Obviously my heart is very much with foster care, foster parents, and foster kids.
However, becoming a foster parent is not for everyone and that is okay. 
Becoming a foster parent is not everyone’s calling, and no one should ever go into being a foster parent with a glorified view of what is involved.
Our lives have been drastically changed because we care for our foster and adopted children. Every day we live with the real consequences of early childhood trauma and abuse. If your calling is not to become a foster parent, there are still many ways you can become involved and support children who are in need.
I believe each of us has a calling to get involved in some way. Please look through the list carefully and choose one or more ways to help. Some take just a few minutes of your time while others are a bigger commitment.
God bless you for the work that you do for kids who need it.
15 Helpful Ways to Support Foster Care Without Being Foster Parents
Here are 15 helpful ways to support foster care without being foster parents. The graphic below is available as a FREE PDF printable. Type in your email so I know where to send it!
Then be sure to keep reading since I’ve included links for each of these wonderful resources.
Do you want a FREE PDF printable copy of this list? Click here to get yours:
- Become a mentor to a foster child. (Click here for Foster Care to Success)
- Become a respite provider. (Click here to find a local agency.)
- Become a Court Appointed Special Advocate. (Click here for CASA information.)
- Become a foster grandparent. (Click here for foster grandparents program.)
- Support a youth aging out of the foster care system. (Click here for LifeSet Network.)
- Start a foster care ministry. (Click here for FaithBridge.)
- Grant a wish to a foster child. (Click here for One Simple Wish.)
- Send a college care package to a youth in college. (Click here to send a care package.)
- Pay for one after-school activity for one foster child. (Click here for Foster Swell Inc.)
- Organize a kickball game. (Click here for Dave Thomas Foundation info.)
- Buy a bike or help build a bike for a child in foster care. (Click here to donate.)
- Donate Sweet Cases so kids don’t have to carry their stuff in trash bags. (Click here for Together We Rise.)
- Make a blanket for foster kids (Click here for My Very Own Blanket.)
53 MORE Ways to Support Foster Care Without Being Foster Parents
Are you looking for additional ways to help children in foster care? Awesome! Here are 53 MORE ways to support foster care without being a foster parent:
30 Ways to Help Children in Foster Care – Foster Coilition
7 Ways to Help Kids in Foster Care without Being a Foster Parent – Adoption.com
How To Help Foster Children (Without Becoming a Foster Parent)
How will you help support children in foster care and foster families?
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Great ideas! I’ll have to check out the LifeSet program…we’ll be acting as transition parents for two of our graduates (they’ll live with us and we’ll provide guidance as they transition from high school to community college). They have parents, but they come from the reservation. Typically, kids don’t do well making the transition to college.
Thank you for this practical advice. I go to a church where we have a number of foster parents. I love watching the process of how they care for these children. I’ll be honest that I really don’t know how to help but your list of ideas gives me a great place to start.
Mary, thank you so much for your willingness to support foster families! Your care and concern is HUGE and already a great starting place. Thank you for your kindness.
My parents fostered many children and I’ve had friends who were in foster care.
You know, I’ve never really thought about reaching out to foster care outside of actually being a foster parent.
I learned new things in researching this post as well! I was excited to discover the ways people can be involved.