2024 Annual Impact Report
Community Beyond the System
Connect Equip 2024 Impact Report Overview
Provided nearly $50,000 of value in direct support to 305 children, fulfilling 124 requests
Events provided support, connection, and nearly $20,000 worth of giveaway items for over 600 children & caregivers
Stood as a voice for vulnerable families, raising awareness & celebrating 16 children’s birthdays while in care
Foster Village SWFL officially launched in March 2024
“THIS HAS BEEN BY FAR THE MOST LOVING, PROFESSIONAL, AND SUPPORTIVE ORGANIZATION WE HAVE ENCOUNTERED SINCE BECOMING FOSTER PARENTS.”
124 Requests Fulfilled
AdoptiveFamilies
ChildrenW/OPlacement
AgedOutYouth
ReunifiedFamilies
KinshipCaregivers
FosterFamilies
“I WAS PUT IN CONTACT WITH FOSTER VILLAGE, WHO WERE JUST AS SWEET AS COULD BE, AND KINDLY OFFERED ITEMS FOR THE KIDS THAT HELPED US BE ABLE TO PROVIDE FOR THEM - AND BROUGHT THEM SO MUCH JOY.” ~ A Caregiver
Equip
When children enter foster care, they often arrive with little notice and few belongings, leaving caregivers to quickly create a welcoming environment with everything the child needs. Kinship families, in particular, often require additional support to meet these urgent needs.
Foster Village SWFL addresses this by delivering Welcome Packs upon placement, which contain a week's worth of essentials, to allow the caregiver to focus on connecting with the child(ren). When car seats, beds, or other items are needed, we provide them so that caregivers can say yes to bringing children into their home.
LISTEN TO ERIKA’S STORY
49,485 OF VALUE IN DIRECT SUPPORT, PROVIDED IMPACTING 99 FAMILIES AND 305 CHILDREN
165 WELCOME/CARE PACKS 71 LARGE ITEMS
Includes clothing, toiletries, underwear/diapers, infant care items, school supplies, a Bible, toys, blanket, shoes, & more.
Including car seats, dressers, beds, strollers, and baby monitors
Connect
Foster parents, kinship caregivers, and reunified families without a strong support system often feel overwhelmed, leading to instability for the children in their care. The foster care system lacks resources to prevent caregiver burnout, though research shows that stable placements improve children’s outcomes.
Foster Village SWFL addresses this need with opportunities for families experiencing foster care to gather and form a community of support. We work to ensure that families caring for children from hard places are connected to each other and have access to ongoing, holistic support as well as fun, family focused events.
LISTEN TO JADA’S STORY
4
COMMUNITY EVENTS
600
Served over children and caregivers, providing support, connection, and nearly $20,000 worth of giveaway items
$20,000
10 GATHERINGS
Including monthly Play Days, special opportunities hosted by community partners, volunteer orientations, and a foster parent licensing class
“ABSOLUTELY AMAZING EVENT. SO MUCH FUN. I LOVED THAT THERE WERE HELPERS FOR ICE SKATING... THE GIFTS WERE AMAZING. IT WAS JUST SO NICE TO GIVE THE KIDS THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN A CHRISTMAS EVENT LIKE THIS.” ~ A Caregiver
Advocate
The foster care system plays a critical role in supporting vulnerable children and families, but misconceptions often discourage potential foster parents, volunteers, and advocates. It is a messy solution to a messy reality and we believe the path to restoration is a safe and supportive community beyond the system.
Foster Village SWFL bridges the gap between families and those in the community who want to help. We inform and engage groups in effort to create a “village” of support. In addition, our Hearten Party Program helps families celebrate children’s birthdays while they are in care. We want every child to know how worthy and loved they are.
LISTEN TO ADAM & RENEE’S STORY
16
BIRTHDAYS CELEBRATED
Honored the inherent worth of 16 children in the welfare system through custom parties and birthday boxes
10 COMMUNITY AWARENESS EVENTS
Working to increase community awareness & involvement through speaking engagements, outreach events, & vendor fairs ~ A Caregiver
“THEY ARE AMAZING! THEIR APPROACH IS VERY PERSONAL & THEY TRULY SEEK TO UNDERSTAND OUR SITUATION & FIND WAYS TO SUPPORT OUR FAMILY NEEDS.”
72 VOLUNTEERS
Engaged 72 individuals with events & standalone needs over the year, with 11 recurring volunteers.
912 VOLUNTEER
HOURS
We have team members who work part-time on a volunteer basis, accruing many hours! We are grateful for our team’s dedication.
“BEING ABLE TO PROVIDE ENCOURAGEMENT DURING THOSE FIRST CHALLENGING WEEKS IS MY WAY OF REMINDING VULNERABLE KIDS THAT THEY ARE LOVED AND VALUED. VOLUNTEERING ALLOWS ME TO MAKE A MEANINGFUL IMPACT WHERE IT’S NEEDED MOST.”
~ A Volunteer
When you partner with Foster Village SWFL, you directly:
Equip
1) foster families, kinship caregivers, and reunifying families with necessities and resources, such as Welcome Packs, car seats, and sensory tools, so they can focus on helping the children in their care thrive.
Connect
2) more parents through events and gatherings designed to bring families together, offer opportunities they might not otherwise have, an provide support and encouragement to empower foster parents and kinship caregivers to continue caring for the children in their home.
Advocate
3) for the celebration of children’s momentous occasions despite their circumstances, safe spaces for biological family visitations, tangible support during reunification, and ongoing, committed relationships between parents and foster parents, bringing dignity to the children and families we serve.
TESTIMONIALS
Before Foster Village, there was minimal support for foster parents. There was no one to call when you were scared, needed advice, or just someone to talk to. Foster Village completely changed that!
They don’t just provide supplies to children and families in need, they provide never-ending support. They truly are the village our children need during this season of life they’re having to endure.
I’m so grateful and thankful for all the assistance and kindness that Foster Village provided. When they called to introduce themselves, I heard angels singing. I can honestly say without their assistance I would have not been prepared the way I was. Foster Village is a Godsend to us foster parents. I love and appreciate all they do with all my heart.
Being a foster parent can feel incredibly isolating. It often seems like our role is invisible; merely a placeholder, or temporary stop for the children with no certainty. Thankfully, Foster Village has been a lifeline for families like ours.
They are a beacon of hope in a system that can feel overwhelming, and I am deeply grateful to have them in my life.