LOVE FOSTERS HOPE
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Mission Statement
Children and teens in foster care long to experience the acceptance and provisions others often take for granted, and instead face a future of uncertainty where so many odds are stacked against them. Our mission is to show them their value as individuals, and equip them with the tools they need to live independently and to the fulfill their potential. Love Fosters Hope programs include year-round mentoring, summer camps, campers reunions, and on-going practical support. We also support young adults aged out of foster care and in need of help with basic essentials and resources. As a result of our programs, foster kids are being healed, educated, and growing into independent adults with hope for their future. We believe in acknowledging and confronting the dark reality of what these precious young people have faced. We seek to not just tell them about who they can be and what they can accomplish, but also provide examples they can follow as they begin anew. Together, through love, we can change the face of foster care.
About This Cause
The heart breaking statistics of foster kids bear witness to the need for intervention, support, mentoring and love. Homelessness, drug addiction, abuse, unplanned pregnancies, sex trafficking, and incarceration is the predicted future for many foster kids. LFH programs encourage, inspire, equip and develop resilience. Our goals are for the foster kids in our programs are to be successful, independent, healthy adults. We are measuring success by the number of teens acquiring their drivers license, graduating from high school, entrance into college and trade schools, stable living environment, employed, and lower rate of teen pregnancies, drug use, and incarceration. Less than 40% of foster kids graduate from high school. We are witnessing significant high school graduation rates from teens who are in our programs. In the last four years only 1 teen has not graduated. And he is working on his GED. Love Fosters Hope programs consist of Summer Camps, Mentoring, Tutoring, and Support to teens who have aged out of foster care. Recently we opened an Emergency Rescue Home for teens who have aged out of foster care. This is a safe haven for a young adult who has become homeless due to a crisis. They will have a safe place to stay as we help them figure out their next step. We host four summer camps with a 2:1 ratio. Two foster kids: one adult counselor. Additional volunteers help with activities. Our goal is to celebrate each child. We want them to leave camp knowing they are significant, valued, and loved. We host a birthday party at our children’s camp. (few have ever had a party) Other activities include talent shows, arts and crafts, swimming, archery, and more. Teen camps have life skills classes and challenge course activities to develop team work and build trust. We host a dance and provide prom dresses for the girls and suits and ties for the boys. Volunteers help with hair, make up, and nails. When they leave camp they take home the dresses and suits and wear at their school dances. Older teens tour a University campus. Teens begin to dream again and set goals. People with goals are better equipped to reject the negative influences in our world today. Trust built at camp continues with our year round mentoring program. Mentors help teens identify their strengths and interest in order to plan for college and trade schools. Mentors listen, guide, tutor, invest their time and experience in guiding them for a better future. LFH supports teens as they age out of foster care. We assist with finding a safe place for homeless teens, help with grants, acquiring driver's licenses, job searches, car repairs, and more. Repeatedly we are told, "my life change after I met you." Connecting with people who genuinely care about them is healing. Scientific research indicates one healthy attachment can teach a foster kid about healthy relationships. By attaching they can develop trust which leads to self worth which leads to self efficacy. Close relationships are key to resilience. Trust is earned through "felt" safety. We create safe, nurturing environments. A week at camp can literally rewire the brain of a child suffering from trauma. We are changing the present and future for foster kids who deserves far better than their past. 1,674 children and teens have experienced fun, adventure, acceptance, and found hope through our summer camps since 2001. Over 944 teens living in Residential Treatment Centers have been encouraged, cared for, and inspired since 2014. Since 2011 360 teens have experienced having a person dedicated to encourage guide, challenge, and care for them through our mentoring program. 650+ volunteers served foster kids a total of 45,650 hours in 2017.