TAPLINK

Support for
Pennsylvania
Adoptive & Foster Families

Taproot issue 49 - May 2005

Things You Can Do To Help A Foster Family

Our children need you. And, so do our foster parents! If you’re at a loss as to how you can assist a foster family, here are a few ideas. Any one of them will assure your place in their hearts as a “friend indeed!”

Offer to pick up items for the foster family when you’re going to the supermarket.

• Provide a couple of afternoons of homework help, or just sit and read with a child.
• Cook a meal or make a dessert for the foster family.
• Volunteer to do minor household chores—such as laundry or ironing that are something hard to do with little children underfoot.
• Offer to braid or cut hair, or take children to the barbershop or hairdresser.
• Keep an eye out for community or church activities that the children might enjoy and volunteer to provide transportation. Be available for emergency transportation whenever you can.
• Volunteer to get agency clearance so you can provide on going, back up support for the foster parent or be a mentor to youth in foster care.
• If you want to contribute to a good cause, remember the children - - - family memberships to the Zoo or cultural facility, a used computer, nice clothes or toys that your own children have outgrown are always appreciated.

Remember to be a friend to the foster parent!