13 Ways to Support Foster Care Without Being a Foster Parent

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.

A group of people sitting on a couch with a laptop with atext overlay that reads as 13 Ways to Support Foster Care Without Being Foster Parents. — Here are the 13 ways to help a child without being a Foster Parent.

Table Of Contents

13 Ways to Help A Child in Need Without Being Foster Parents
MORE Ways to Support Foster Care Without Being Foster Parents
Why Supporting Foster Care Matters

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.

13 Ways to Help A Child in Need 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.

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.)

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 MORE ways to support foster care without being a foster parent:

Why Supporting Foster Care Matters

Supporting foster care not only provides children with the stability and care they need but also strengthens the entire community. Each act of kindness can significantly impact a child’s life, helping them to overcome the challenges they face and providing them with a brighter future.

By following these guidelines and suggestions, you can help create a nurturing and supportive environment for children in foster care, even if you cannot be a foster parent yourself. Your involvement, no matter how small, can make a significant difference.

Thank you for reading this post and your love for foster kids and foster families!