We created the Love Box program to walk alongside children in the foster care system, as well as their caretakers, by offering consistent support through intentional giving, relationship building, and mentorship.

THE NEED:

Children are removed from their homes and placed in foster care due to neglect, abandonment, or because they are the victim of physical, sexual, or emotional abuse. Because of this trauma, they oftentimes experience PTSD at a rate more than twice that of combat veterans. When children are removed from the home, they are confused and frightened, and they need the temporary protection and nurturing that a foster family can provide. We know that trauma can be healed in the context of healthy, supportive relationships. (Sources)

make a referral for this program

OUR SOLUTION:

The Love Box program provides foster families with community and holistic support so that they can continue to do the important and meaningful work of being a foster parent. As a Love Box group, volunteers will be matched with a local foster family based on compatibility and scope of needs.  When our families are matched with committed volunteers who show up monthly, parents feel more supported and children gain a greater sense of belonging and self-confidence. This program requires a one year commitment.

volunteer for this program

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Watch this powerful video to learn more about how the Love Box program is changing the way children experience care through intentional giving, relationship building, and mentorship.

The staggering outcomes and statistics of children in foster care are bleak:

The pregnancy rate for girls ages 13 to 17 in Texas foster care is almost five times higher than the rate for other Texas girls in that age group.

Nationally, 50% of the homeless population spent time in foster care.

Only about 50% of those who age out of care will obtain a high school diploma.

97% of children in foster care will not graduate from college, despite the fact that as wards of the state, they receive a full-ride to any state school of their choice.

sources

Download a printable copy of our Love Box content suggestions here!

Love_Box_Monthly_Calendar.PDF

Austin Angels & The Texas Institute for Child and Family Wellbeing partnership

Austin Angels and The University of Texas' Texas Institute for Child and Family Wellbeing have partnered to expand trauma-informed services to foster families and build evidence of service effectiveness. After receiving years of anecdotal feedback to attest to the effectiveness of its programming, Austin Angels is patterning with TXICFW to conduct a rigorous program evaluation to identify the core program components that can be replicated in other areas.

The Texas Institute for Child and Family Wellbeing is located within the School of Social Work at The University of Texas at Austin.  They use their research and training expertise to engage in a joint learning process with practitioners and agencies to build the foundational knowledge that best serves children and families.  Their researchers have direct practice experience working with families in crisis.  They utilize their real-world experience to focus on improving outcomes for children and families in many areas of child welfare, including foster care and adoption, Latino immigrant families, child maltreatment prevention, and adolescent sexual health.

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