Some Specific Areas of Need…
One child raised up in a healthy environment can change the world. Let’s make it happen! Support the mission and programs of Utah Foster Care—where your gift directly impacts the lives of children in foster care.
Wishing Well Fund — Annual Need: $45,000
Changing lives one wish at a time.
The Wishing Well Fund helps pay for things that begin to “normalize” childhood for children in foster care—things like school sports fees, music lessons, or that special outfit for prom.
A foster parent writes: “The violin lessons have been a true blessing—but I believe they have also influenced her life in less obvious ways, like an improved self-esteem and better work ethic!”
Foster Family Appreciation — Annual Need: $20,000
A “thank you” can go a long way…
The best gift we can give children in foster care is a loving safe place to land. Well trained and well-supported families are a valuable resource to Utah’s child welfare system. Happy and appreciated foster parents share with their friends and family the challenges and the joys of fostering. Presently licensed, satisfied families are a most effective tool to recruit new families.
Annual Training Symposium — Annual Need: $30,000
The difference between good and great.
We bring together more than 400 social workers, foster parents, trainers, psychologists, and counselors, to discuss the latest ideas and methods each year to help children who have been neglected and abused. Nationally renowned speakers take the stage and share the newest and best research for children and families.
Hispanic Mentorship Program — Annual Need: $15,000
The difference between a place to stay and a place to live.
Children whose first language is Spanish—or whose first culture is Latino—flourish in homes that feel and sound familiar. But foster care is a foreign concept within this community, so recruiting much-needed foster families takes a little more effort. We’ve developed a program to strengthen the family supports for our Spanish-speaking families.
American Indian Recruitment — Annual Need: $20,000
Preserving cultural connections.
With the passing of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) in 1978, states are required to ensure children in foster care are placed in the nurturing homes of relatives, clan members, and tribal members when possible in an effort to strengthen and preserve AI/AN families and culture. The AI/AN community spans millions of acres on and off reservation throughout the state of Utah. Education in each community is essential in dispelling myths, garnering support, and finding families who meet ICWA standards with regard to Native children. Community Outreach is needed to impact the largest audience.
Chalk Art Festival — Annual Need: $15,000
Father’s Day Weekend
This annual festival is a must-see community art event, where more than 140 chalk artists turn out every June to “paint the streets” of The Gateway in Downtown Salt Lake City. Your brand is seen by more than 20,000 festival-goers and your sponsorship helps to raise money for programs serving Utah’s children in foster care. One adoptive mom said: “My daughter was in foster care and was so excited to be an artist in the festival. She knows how this program saves and changes lives!” Personal stories like this one are at the very heart of why Utah Foster Care has presented the festival since 2003.
Fostering Hope Luncheon — Annual Need: $28,000
May is Nat’l Foster Care Month
Join with other caring individuals and businesses to raise funds and build community awareness for critical program needs. In 2016, 280 community leaders gathered to hear from young men and women about the importance of their foster families in their lives. More than one attendee was moved by their stories, and one confided: “I never knew until now how painful it is to have been a neglected child. Thank you for helping me understand your mission in such a sensitive and meaningful way. I am proud to support such a noble and important cause.”
Community Outreach
The important work of changing minds.
There are many misconceptions about the foster care system, foster parents, and the children they serve. Educating the community and dispelling these myths is an important part of helping foster and adoptive parents get the support they need from their friends, family, and neighbors. Moreover, addressing these beliefs paves the way for other families to get involved. Some of the outreach we do is event-oriented and provides community partners with opportunities to link their brand with the work of Utah Foster Care. These events happen across the state, year round, and include such things as the Giving Tree program, Pumpkin Festivals, Family Fun Runs, and March for Kids. Bi-monthly Journey with Utah Foster Care Tours are conducted in the Salt Lake City area, contact us for upcoming dates.
Recognition Events
Being a foster parent should never be a thankless job.
Each foster family is essential and deserves to be applauded for their strength and dedication to helping children in foster care succeed. Because of this, we highly value programs and events that recognize individuals and families who hold the spirit of foster care in their hearts all year. This note came from a family that attended a foster family appreciation day organized by Utah Foster Care at Draper’s Cowabunga Bay water park: “Thank you so much for the fun event you put on. With a large family, these types of places are out of our budget. It means so much to all of us to be able to have fun as a family”.
Web & Print Publications
Reaching your market.
Sponsoring our web and print publications opens the door to our broad audience of foster families, donors, community supporters, and businesses. Our range of partnerships includes simple logo and link placement, social media and blog posts, and more traditional ad placement. Premier sponsorships of our signature events such as the Fostering Hope Luncheon, Annual Symposium, Chalk Art Festival, or foster family appreciation events are also available.
If you have an interest in these areas of need, please call Debbie Hofhines — (801) 783-4004.
