Nika // National Reunification Month

"It was hard because you never really know what's going to happen. It's something you can't prepare for. They tell you that they could leave at any moment." –– Nika, foster mom⁠
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As #NationalReunificationMonth comes to a close, we wanted to introduce you to another one of the many parents in our program who is giving children a safe place to call home, and giving biological parents time to make the changes necessary to make their family whole again.⁠
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Nika's fostering journey began when she was handed a precious newborn baby, only two days old.⁠ "They were like, 'here you go!' and I was pretty shocked. The journey was amazing. I couldn't believe they gave me such a precious little thing.”⁠

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Fostering can feel overwhelming and chaotic. Welcoming a new foster placement is often an unpredictable experience, and parents may have as little as hours of warning before the child's arrival. Many foster parents do not know details about the child such as gender, age, how many children need placing, how many belongings they are coming with, and/or what the child's health and medical needs are. Working parents may have to adjust their work schedules with little to no notice, and quickly plan for childcare assistance.⁠
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So how can you support a foster parent who has just welcomed a child (of any age) into their home? ⁠
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💙Offer to cover practical items such as paper towels, toilet paper, tissues, paper plates and cleaning supplies, which saves the parents time and money spent on errands.⁠
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💙If the child is an infant or a toddler - offer to purchase general baby items such as diapers, wipes, outfits and pajamas, and bath needs.⁠
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💙Purchase gift cards to Amazon or Walmart, so they can expect convenient delivery right to their door.⁠
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💙Help with meals - most new parents would gladly welcome assistance in planning and preparing their next meals.⁠
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Not everyone is called to foster or adopt, but we all CAN do something to support the people who do. Click the link in our bio to start supporting a caregiver near you!⁠