April 29, 2024

Why Do Foster Parents Get Paid? Understanding the Heart Behind the Support

Resources

Foster care is a critical system designed to provide temporary homes for children and adolescents who cannot safely remain with their birth families. While the primary focus is on the well-being and safety of the children, many wonder about the financial aspect of foster parenting. Why do foster parents receive compensation for their services?

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April 22, 2024

The Heart of a Home: Understanding How Foster Parenting Works

Resources

Foster parenting represents one of the most generous and courageous responses to a pressing need within our communities – offering sanctuary, understanding, and a nurturing touch to children during their most challenging times.

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April 19, 2024

Dinosaur-themed Birthday Party for 200 Children in Foster Care

Events Recap

Last weekend Kidspace Museum in Pasadena, California, witnessed a heartwarming celebration like no other as Birthday Palooza, Dino Romp & Stomp took center stage. This event, a collaboration between Foster Love, Kidspace Children’s Museum, Make Good, and Hope In A Suitcase, brought together 200 children from foster care for a day filled with joy, learning, and unforgettable memories.

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April 15, 2024

Who Funds Foster Care: Nurturing Future Generations Together

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Foster care systems worldwide shoulder a significant responsibility in fulfilling this promise, ensuring that every child has a safe, loving environment in which to grow, even when their original homes face insurmountable challenges. But this crucial mission doesn't stand on intentions alone; it's the quiet cadence of benevolence and provision that sustains it. Today, we unveil those sources that nurture the roots and wings of our future generations.

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April 2, 2024

Siblings Reunited at Foster Love's Disney Days: A Heartwarming Tale of Family and Magic

Disney Days Feel Good Friday Events Recap

The last time Amy saw her brother Zach was when they were removed from their biological parents home 3 months ago and placed in separate homes. For the first time in months, the pair was able to see each other at Walt Disney World.

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April 1, 2024

How Do Charity Tax Reductions Work? Understanding the Impact on Foster Care

Resources

When we think about supporting children in foster care, our first thoughts often turn to images of loving families opening their homes and hearts. But there's another layer of aid that operates quietly yet powerfully behind the scenes, empowering our contributions and extending our generosity even further. It's the tax system, providing incentives for charity through deductions.

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March 18, 2024

Understanding The Departure: The Challenges Social Workers Face in Foster Care

Resources

In the heart of every community are the unsung heroes who bear the weight of our collective challenges—social workers. These are the stewards of hope in the foster care system, tasked with the noble cause of nurturing, advocating, and creating change. Yet, despite their integral role, many depart from the field. It's a complex departure, woven with threads of adversity that tug insistently at their resolve.

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March 11, 2024

The Unsung Heroes of Foster Care: Understanding The Role of Social Workers

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In the tapestry of our communities, social workers are the threads that bind, their impact often silent but deeply woven into the framework of lives changed and saved. Today, we draw back the curtain to illuminate the role of social workers in the sphere of foster care—a sanctuary for children who need it most.

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March 4, 2024

Who Cannot Be a Foster Parent?

Resources

When considering stepping into the crucial role of a foster parent, many potential candidates wonder about their eligibility. There's a common belief that one must fit a specific mold to take on the responsibilities of foster care, but this is not the case. Being equipped with accurate knowledge about the requirements and understanding what might be an obstacle to becoming a foster parent is critical. Let's clear the air on who can and cannot be a foster parent.

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March 1, 2024

The Impact of Foster Care on Child Development: Challenges and Opportunities

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The path to adulthood is a complex journey, shaped profoundly by the experiences of our childhood. For children in the foster care system, this journey carries additional weight and challenges, shaping their development in lasting ways.

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Feb. 28, 2024

What is Foster Care Like? Understanding the Journey and Embracing Change

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Entering foster care is one of the most challenging transitions a child may face. Displaced from familiar environments and people they trust, these young individuals are often handed only a trash bag to carry their belongings – a striking symbol of the chaos and uncertainty in their lives.

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Feb. 14, 2024

Are Foster Care Payments Taxable? Understanding Your Financial Journey as a Foster Parent

Resources

Are Foster Care Payments Taxable? While financial matters are important, the heart of fostering lies in the invaluable act of providing love, security, and nurturing to children who need it most. In this post, we'll explore tax benefits and deductions available to foster parents, including the non-taxable status of payments and opportunities for further financial support. We'll also discuss claiming foster children as dependents and the rewarding impact of fostering beyond financial considerations. Whether you're considering fostering or seeking guidance as a caregiver, join us at Foster Love for insights and support in this meaningful journey.

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Jan. 26, 2024

FAQ for Disney Days 2024

To help answer your questions here is the FAQ for Disney Days 2023! Q. How Did Disney Days Start? A. 10 years ago our founder Danny decided to take some kids in foster care to Disneyland for his birthday. Rather than accepting gifts, his friends helped him fundraise and donate towards the first unofficial Disney Days. Q.…

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Jan. 23, 2024

Foster Care: A Guide to Becoming a Foster Parent

Resources

Foster care is a system designed to provide temporary homes for children who cannot live with their families due to various reasons such as abuse, neglect, or abandonment. In the United States, an estimated 430,000 children are in foster care, with over 20,000 aging out of the system every year. Becoming a foster parent is a fulfilling journey that definitely comes with its challenges. It is an opportunity to provide a safe and loving home to vulnerable children and make a positive impact on their lives. In this blog post, we will discuss what foster care is and a step-by-step guide on how to become a foster parent.

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Dec. 5, 2023

Unwrapping the Magic of Foster Love's Gifts of Gratitude

Feel Good Friday Events Recap

The holiday season is all about spreading love and joy, and what better way to do so than by giving back to those who need it the most. Foster Love, a nonprofit organization that works towards supporting foster kids across America, recently held its first-ever Gifts of Gratitude event just in time for the holidays. To provide gifts and necessities to those who need them the most, Foster Love curated an array of items that would bring a smile to the faces of many kids in foster care.

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Oct. 6, 2023

Maurissa’s Inspiring Journey to Being Adopted as an Adult

Meet Maurissa S, who shares her inspiring story of being adopted as an adult. Her childhood at home wasn't safe, but entering the foster system was a positive change. She bravely opens up about the traumatic experiences she faced as a young child. At 12, Maurissa entered foster care, and at 18, she aged out. However, there's more to her story. Discover how she found love and support from her maternal uncle and his wife during the holidays, which ultimately led to her being adopted at the age of 35. Her journey is a testament to resilience and the power of connection.

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Oct. 6, 2023

Discover the Benefits of Adult Adoption

Adult adoption is a fantastic solution for people who want to establish strong legal bonds with their loved ones, whether or not they are biologically related. Through adult adoption, you can gain a sense of belonging and security that might not be possible otherwise. Plus, you can access critical medical histories and financial opportunities that were previously unavailable. However, it's crucial to have a thorough understanding of the legal implications of adult adoption and seek the guidance of qualified legal experts before proceeding. With the right help, adult adoption can be an incredibly fulfilling and transformative experience for everyone involved.

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Sept. 29, 2023

Empowering Dreams: Foster Love's Family Fellowship Scholarship

Foster Love, a beacon of hope for foster youth, has been tirelessly working to bridge the gap in higher education access. The Family Fellowship Scholarship, is a testament to their dedication. Thanks to the generous support of Hope and Robert F. Smith, Foster Love has been able to provide foster youth with a transformative opportunity – the chance to pursue a college degree without the burdensome weight of financial constraints. With each student awarded up to $60,000, Foster Love is not only offering financial relief but also a chance for these young individuals to break free from the cycle of limited opportunity.

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Sept. 29, 2023

From Foster Care to Skilled Trades: The Pathway Offered by Our BrandSource Scholarship

Every young person deserves the opportunity to pursue their dreams and achieve their highest potential, but for foster youth, the journey to higher education is often met with challenges that many don't have to face. Statistics show that only 10% of former foster youth manage to obtain a college degree, highlighting a systemic issue that demands our attention. However, organizations like Foster Love and BrandSource are stepping up to address this issue head-on, providing vital support and much-needed resources to foster youth who aspire to pursue higher education.

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Sept. 28, 2023

Foster Love's Disney Days: Bringing Magic to Sibling Reunification

Foster Love's Disney Days event is more than just a day trip to Disneyland. It is the largest sibling reunification event in the country. This monumental event brings siblings together, even if just for a day, to reinstill their sense of love and belonging. Heartbreakingly, nearly 70% of children who enter the foster care system alongside their siblings are unable to remain housed with their brothers and sisters. Our Disney Days event brings families back together, providing them with the stability and connection they desperately need.

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Sept. 6, 2023

Transforming Lives: The American Industries Scholarship

In the world of scholarships and opportunities, there exists a remarkable initiative known as the American Industries Scholarship. While this scholarship might not be a household name, its impact on the lives of young individuals, particularly those from foster care backgrounds, is nothing short of life-changing. Today, we'd like to introduce you to Rafael, a resilient young man who has been profoundly affected by this program.

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Sept. 6, 2023

Empowering Futures: A Shopping Spree for College Foster Youth

Navigating the journey from foster care to higher education is no small feat. Nationally, only 10% of foster youth achieve a college degree due to financial and emotional challenges. However, events like this shopping spree, fueled by Macy's support, break down those barriers, offering not just material resources but hope and empowerment.

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Aug. 15, 2023

10 Students Selected for Foster Love's 2023 Family Fellowship Scholarship Program

Foster Love has announced the 10 deserving students who have been chosen for their Family Fellowship College Scholarship Program. This one-of-a-kind scholarship provides eligible former and current foster youth with up to $60,000 towards their college expenses. We are proud to recognize these students for their tenacity, hard work, and determination. Not only do we provide financial support, but we also offer exciting rafting excursions and college readiness classes with our staff. The Family Fellowship is the largest college scholarship available for youth aging out of the foster care system in America. These students represent the future and we are thrilled to be a part of their journey.

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July 28, 2023

Celebrating Success: A Look Back at the Inaugural Foster Love Gala

The inaugural Foster Love Gala was a resounding success, raising both money and awareness for the foster care community. With 15 years of hard work and dedication behind us, it was truly a joy to celebrate our achievements and reflect on the impact we have made so far. From the countless volunteers and donors who have supported us along the way to the many new faces we met at the gala, we are excited to continue changing the world for children in foster care.

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July 27, 2023

Advocating for Foster Care Community: The Social Advocacy Award

The foster care community is often overlooked and underrepresented in our society. Foster children and families face many challenges that require the unwavering support and advocacy of individuals and organizations alike. Advocating for the needs of the foster care community is not just important, but imperative.

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