SPOTLIGHT PARTNER AGENCY

Fostering a child can be a rewarding experience for both the child and the foster parents. However, it can also be a difficult transition for the child, as they may be leaving behind their familiar surroundings and the people they love. It is important for foster parents to make the child feel welcome in their new home and to help them adjust to their new environment. Here are three ways to make a new foster child feel welcome in their new home:

1. Create a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The first thing a foster child sees when they enter their new home is the environment. Make sure the child’s room is decorated with their favorite colors and that it has all the essentials they need, such as a comfortable bed and a desk for homework. Create a space that feels like their own.

2. Show genuine interest and take time to get to know the child. Foster children have often been through difficult experiences and may be feeling vulnerable. Take time to listen to the child and learn about their likes and dislikes, their hobbies and interests. Show them that you are truly interested in them and their well-being.

3. Help the child to maintain connections with their past. Foster children may have to leave

Partner Agencies

behind their family and friends, which can be a difficult and traumatic experience. Help the child to maintain connections with their past by encouraging them to stay in touch with their family and friends. Help them to keep pictures and mementos of their past with them, so they can feel connected to the people they care about.

Creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere, showing genuine interest and taking time to get to know the child and helping the child to maintain connections with their past are three important ways to make a new foster child feel welcome in their new home. Remember that fostering a child is a big responsibility and it can be a difficult transition for the child, but with the right approach and a lot of patience, you can make the child feel safe, loved and welcomed in their new home.

In addition to the above mentioned ways, foster parents should also be prepared to be patient and understanding with the child. Many foster parents report feeling overwhelmed or burnt out after a few months with their new Foster Child. Kids At Heart recognizes that, and that is why we offer bi-weekly respite opportunities. Our events are designed to give the foster children a supportive environment with other kids just like them. Our events kidsatheartco.org are also a time for the foster parents to take a much needed break. The parents can use Kids At Heart to help recharge their own battery, so they can continue fostering in a loving supportive way.

Foster children may have a hard time trusting new people, and it can take time for them to feel comfortable in their new surroundings. Foster parents should also be aware of the child’s needs and be prepared to provide the appropriate support and resources. And last but not least, fostering a child is a team effort and it is important that foster parents work with the child’s social worker to provide the best possible care for the child. With the right approach, fostering a child can be a life-changing experience for both the child and the foster parents.

The agencies Realities For Children supports are an esteemed group of nonprofit organizations that are committed to collaboration, fiscal efficiency and to providing the best possible continuum of service for the needs of northern Colorado children. Partner Agencies receive support from our organization in the form of emergency funding, youth activities, community awareness, event sponsorship, item distributions, and facilities space.

To learn more about our Partner Agencies or core services contact our Partner Agency & Youth Programs Manager at tanya@realitiesforchildren.com

Partners is celebrating 45 years of changing lives and shaping futures in Northern Colorado. Through youth mentoring, prevention education, and strategic partnerships, Partners empowers youth and community members to reach their full potential.

The organization had its biggest year ever in 2022—they served a record number of 830 youth with mentoring and prevention education programs. Since 2019, Partners has increased the number of youth served by 53%! This growth is only possible with the support of our community of volunteers, donors, sponsors who invest in the next generation.

The stories of Partners youth are varied, but all are impactful. There’s a partnership who worked together for over 8 years, culminating in the