There are still several other ways you can help Virginia’s Youth in Foster Care. You can click the option below that finds your interest or scroll to take a look at them all.
CASAs, or Court-Appointed Special Advocates are trained volunteers appointed by a judge to represent the best interests of a child in foster care. As a CASA, you will get to know the child and their circumstances, helping the court understand their needs and making recommendations for their future. This role can impact a child’s life by advocating for a safe, permanent home.
Many foster youth benefit from having a consistent adult mentor to guide them through challenges, provide support, and offer encouragement. As a mentor or life skills coach, you can work with teens and young adults in foster care to build skills in budgeting, time management, job searching, and college applications. This relationship can be transformative, helping foster youth build self-confidence and practical skills for independence.
Many youth in foster care face educational challenges due to frequent moves, school changes, or gaps in learning. If you have a background in teaching or a particular subject, consider offering tutoring support. Tutors can provide essential academic assistance that helps students improve their grades, stay on track, and feel more confident in school.
Older teens and young adults aging out of foster care often lack work experience, making it challenging to secure employment. If you own or work at a business that could host an intern, consider creating a short-term internship or job shadowing opportunity for youth in foster care. This experience can provide valuable skills, workplace familiarity, and a reference that can boost their employability.
Each year, Virginia hosts events designed to help youth transitioning out of foster care build skills and connect with resources. These events can include job fairs, college preparation workshops, housing assistance programs, and more. By volunteering your time at these events, you can directly support foster youth in preparing for adulthood, from helping them set up résumés to introducing them to local resources.
Do you have a skill you could teach that might benefit young people? Whether it’s cooking, computer coding, art, financial literacy, or essential car maintenance, sharing these skills with foster youth can be life-changing. Many foster care agencies are open to volunteers hosting workshops or classes on life skills, which can be crucial for teens preparing for adulthood.
Advocating for legislative change is crucial for creating lasting improvements in the foster care system. By partnering with organizations like Voices for Virginia’s Children (voicesforva.org) or Virginia Kids Belong (virginiakidsbelong.org), you can raise awareness about the critical issues facing youth in care. Legislative advocates collaborate with policymakers, attend advocacy events, and work to ensure that Virginia’s laws protect and support foster children.
You don’t need prior experience in advocacy; a passion for making a difference is all you need. To get started, reach out to these organizations for more information on how you can participate in advocacy efforts.
A home-cooked meal can provide great comfort during the transition period of welcoming a new youth into the family. If cooking isn’t your thing, you can still make a difference by sending a pizza or gifting them an Uber Eats, Door Dash, or Restaurant Gift Card. It’s a practical way to nourish the family while they adjust to their new responsibilities.
As a foster family adjusts to the additional demands of parenting, everyday chores can sometimes be neglected. You could lend a hand by helping with tasks you feel comfortable doing, such as mowing the lawn, helping with their garden, or other household tasks. Even small acts of service can make a big difference.
Foster parents also need time to reconnect and recharge. You can offer them a well-deserved break by donating gift cards for restaurants, movie theatres, or other activities that give them the opportunity to enjoy a date night. Your gift helps them take a moment to strengthen their relationship, which in turn supports the stability of their home.
A few thoughtful words can uplift and encourage foster parents during challenging times. Sending an encouraging card is a simple yet powerful way to remind them that they are not alone and that their work is making a real impact on the life of a child.
When you give through any of these options you’re doing more than just meeting a need, you’re offering hope and healing. You’re showing children and youth in foster care that there are people who care deeply about their future and believe in them. You’re helping them feel valued, confident, and worthy of love and support.
If you’re interested in providing support related to one of the categories above, or have other ideas on how to provide support we’d love to hear from you! We’re always looking for new ideas and generous hearts to support our families and youth in foster care. If you’d like to donate instead, click the Learn More button on the fund you’re interested in supporting in the donation section above.