Volume XLV | October 16, 2024 | |
The Good Stuff in Child Welfare | |
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Welcome to The Good Stuff in Child Welfare!
Our team at the Field Center for Children’s Policy, Practice, & Research recognizes that between the all too frequent and grim child welfare stories that make us teary-eyed, clenched-fisted, and faint-hearted, there are inspiring accomplishments and heartening endeavors taking place all over this country at every level of practice. To elevate and promote these encouraging stories, we are pleased to bring you this monthly newsletter emphasizing news stories only about “The Good Stuff” from the broad field of child welfare. This month, we include highlights of personal commitments, group initiatives, and community change. We hope this read gives you a few moments of hopefulness and a sense of possibility.
If there's something you'd like to see here, shoot us an email. Know someone who could use a little Good Stuff in Child Welfare? Send them a copy! We hope you love it as much as we do.
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Closet Factory of West Michigan Helps Children in Foster Care | |
A custom closet construction business named The Closet Factory in Kalamazoo, Michigan is working towards giving back to its local community by providing duffle bags of clothing to children in foster care. They are achieving this goal through a partnership with Braden’s Closet, an organization founded by two women in 2015 who were passionate about making a difference in the lives of children with foster care experience. This partnership began when The Closet Factory opened their doors this past August, as the owners were determined to begin this initiative as part of their business launch. With every customer that schedules an appointment with The Closet Factory, they will donate a duffle bag to a child in foster care. The aim of this project is to ensure children in foster care feel supported and loved by their community.
Link to Full Article
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New App Connects Families in Need With Resources in Webster County | |
CarePortal is making a significant impact with accessibility by connecting families with essential resources quickly. With its existing success in helping over 300,000 children and families across 35 states, CarePortal is now expanding to Webster County, MO. The platform is expected to play a vital role in mobilizing community care. By linking families with child welfare agencies and local resources, CarePortal fosters a collaborative approach to addressing essential needs in a centralized way. Looking ahead, the organization aims to deepen community partnerships and strengthen its network, enhancing its ability to support families in need.
Link to Full Article
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Fifty Young Advocates from Foster Care Celebrated as 2024 FosterClub Outstanding Young Leaders | |
FosterClub, a national network for youth in foster care, recently recognized fifty young advocates as recipients of the 2024 Outstanding Young Leader Award. The award aims to uplift the voices and share the inspiring stories of young people with foster care experience who are dedicated to making a lasting impact in their communities. This year, 21-year-old Brayden Boyce was among those who received the award due to his exceptional work of transforming challenging system experiences into advocacy and community service. Brayden, along with the other outstanding recipients, serve as promising leaders and are dedicated to FosterClub’s mission of empowering young people with foster care experience through system reform and direct service.
Link to Full Article
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‘Create a community’: Haverford Women Start Nonprofit to Support Fostering | |
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Well Rooted is a nonprofit organization that flourished from the friendship between Katie Casey and Sarah Todd, two women from Haverford, PA. Dedicated to supporting families and youth involved in the foster care system, they draw on their experiences as foster parents to identify needs and provide assistance to foster families, biological families seeking reunification and older youth aging out. Their yearlong mentorship program not only fosters community but also helps older youth build essential social skills and connections. “We all need a village” says Casey.
Link to Full Article
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Wayne Hills Senior Jimmy Veale to be Honored for Years of Giving to Children in Foster Care | |
Jimmy Veale, a senior at Wayne Hills High School in NJ and three-time All-County golfer, was honored at the 2024 Child Focus “Voices for Children” September Gala for his efforts in supporting children in foster care. For the past five years, Veale has worked closely with Child Focus (formerly Passaic County CASA), providing gifts to children in foster care during holidays and birthdays. His hands-on approach, ensuring each gift is personalized, has made him an essential part of the organization’s mission. Child Focus Executive Director Erica Fischer-Kaslander praised his dedication, stating “Jimmy’s tireless efforts to brighten the lives of these children demonstrate the profound impact that caring individuals can have on our community.” His contributions extend beyond financial donations, as he actively shops for supplies, making a direct and personal impact on the lives of youth in foster care.
Link to Full Article
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Annual Scholarship Event Raises Over $100K for Michigan’s Foster Youth | |
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Nearly 430 students in foster care in Michigan will receive college scholarships after the 12th annual Fostering Futures Scholarship Trust Fund Benefit Dinner, held at Motor City Casino in Detroit. Organized by the Michigan Education Trust (MET) and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), the event raised $101,590, bringing the year’s total to over $151,000. Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II praised the initiative for helping foster youth. “I was proud to join the 12th annual Fostering Futures Event, which has raised more than $1.4 million for students since 2012. Governor Whitmer and I will keep working hard to foster brighter futures for Michiganders and the state we all love.”
Link to Full Article
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The Field Center team would like to thank the staff and students who brought this newsletter together. Specifically, we recognize our Fall 2024 students Hannah Bennett, Kate Greco, and Sabrina Vargas for their contributions in providing readers with this uplifting content. Many thanks to our Associate Director Sarah Wasch for editing and our Administrative Coordinator Felicia Saunders for handling design and distribution. Special thanks to our Managing Faculty Director, Dr. Johanna Greeson for her idea to curate the “good news stories” happening in child welfare! | | | | |
