The Compassion Connection

08/31/2026

Sometimes it’s a backpack. Sometimes it’s pencils. Sometimes it’s simply knowing someone cares. 💙

This sweet girl recently entered foster care and received her very first backpack filled with brand-new school supplies.

And YOU made it possible.

To every person who donated, purchased supplies, gave financially, volunteered or supported Compassion Connection—thank you. Because of you, kids walking through some of the hardest transitions of their lives are reminded that there is a community ready to come alongside them.

This is why we do what we do. 💙

08/28/2026

We all have a role to play.

One of our biggest goals at Compassion Connection is helping our community understand that you don’t have to become a foster parent to make a difference in foster care.

Maybe you’re not able to open your home right now. That’s okay—there are so many other ways to come alongside children and the families caring for them.

You can donate the clothes your kids have outgrown.
Provide a meal during a difficult transition.
Give financially.
Purchase something from our wishlist.
Volunteer your time.
Host a donation drive.
Encourage a foster or kinship family.
Share a need with your friends.

What may feel like “just” a small act to you can be part of something much bigger for a child who has had their entire world turned upside down.

Foster care isn’t something foster families should carry alone. It takes a community. We all have something we can offer.

What’s your role?

Want to learn more about ways you can support children and families impacted by foster care? Visit our website: https://www.thecompassionconnectionmn.com

08/27/2026

🚗🏁 CAR LOVERS — THIS ONE’S FOR YOU! 🏁🚗

Please help us spread the word! The car show is TODAY from 4–7 PM at the Becker Intermediate School lot!

Come out for:
Amazing cars
Food
Bounce house
A great cause!

And the BEST part? ALL proceeds from tonight’s car show benefit Compassion Connection and will help fulfill holiday wishes for children and teens in foster care!

Grab your family, tell your car-loving friends and enjoy a fun night out!

Please SHARE and help us get the word out! 🙌

We are so grateful for a community that continues to show up for kids in foster care. 💙

!!!Car Show has been RESCHEDULED!!! See you there! Please share with a friend. 🚗

08/27/2026

THIS. This is what it’s all about. 💙

We recently received this message from a local foster family after we helped meet some needs during a big transition:

“Hey, thank you so much! I cried when I opened the bag, read the note, saw the pizza gift card, plates and napkins. R has been asking for a Barbie and my heart almost exploded when she pulled one out of her bag. It means so much to be cared for especially during this huge time of transition. Thank you, thank you!”

“It means so much to be cared for.” That’s it. That’s the heart of Compassion Connection.

Yes, we provide clothing, beds, diapers, school supplies, car seats, toys and everyday essentials—but what we really hope families hear through every bag we pack is:

You are seen.
You are supported.
You don’t have to do this alone.

When a family says yes to a child in foster care, sometimes with only hours to prepare, we want to be a community standing behind that yes. And we can only do that because you stand behind us.

To every person, church, business and organization that donates, shops our wishlists, hosts drives, gives financially, volunteers or simply shares our needs—this message is for you, too.

Thank you for helping us care for the people who are caring for kids. 💙

This is what community beyond the system looks like.

08/26/2026

Take a leap of faith.

Children do not prepare to be taken away from:
Parents
Family
Siblings
Pets
Room
Toys
Food
Neighbors
Friends
School
…and many more things they’ve know their whole lives…

If you’ve had it in your heart to foster or adopt but don’t think you’re ready…take the first step!

08/25/2026

Behind every packed order is a family who said YES. Sometimes that “yes” comes with very little notice.

A child needs a safe place to land, and suddenly a family is preparing for another little person—often without the clothing, school supplies, diapers, bedding, or everyday essentials they need.

These two orders, alongside school supplies, are headed out to help children in foster care have what they need. ❤️

And we can do this because our community continues to show up. Every donation, every item purchased, every drive hosted, every business or church that partners with us helps keep Compassion Connection ready for the next call.

We are so grateful for a community that stands behind the families who say “yes” to children in foster care—so when they get the call, we can say:

“We’re here. What do you need?” 💙

Thank you for helping us be ready.

08/25/2026

A Little End-of-Summer Update from Compassion Connection

As summer begins to wind down and a new school year gets underway, things are BUSY around Compassion Connection!

We’re currently working behind the scenes to transition our boutique from summer clothing to fall and winter, sorting donations, reorganizing racks, and getting everything ready for the season ahead. At the same time, many of our volunteers are also getting their own kiddos ready for school and soaking up these last few days of summer. ❤️

Because Compassion Connection is volunteer-led and volunteer-run, you may notice that responses to messages and requests take us a little longer than usual during this transition. We promise—we see you, and we’re working through everything as quickly as we can!

Thank you for giving our team a little extra grace and patience during this busy season. 🫶

And remember: you don’t have to wait for us to fill a request! Verified families and agency workers are always welcome to stop into the Compassion Boutique during open hours and shop for the clothing and items your kiddos need. Sometimes coming in and choosing things yourself is the quickest—and easiest—option!

Thank you for being part of this community and for allowing us to continue walking alongside families caring for kids who need them. 💛

Here’s to a great new school year and a beautiful new season ahead! 🍁

08/23/2026

Tomorrow morning in church, there will be a sibling group sitting together because one family said yes to keeping them together. It may seem like a small thing, but to kids who have already lost so much, it means more than you can imagine.

08/19/2026

SWEET PARTNER SHOUT-OUT! 🧁

Our Back-to-School Beach Bash was a little sweeter thanks to Sweets & Treats by JC — aka the amazing Julie Crane! 💙

Julie created the most adorable beach-themed desserts for our families, and they were absolutely PERFECT for the night! From the fun details to the delicious treats, she helped make our 10th Annual Back-to-School Bash feel extra special for the foster and kinship families we were celebrating.

Julie, THANK YOU for sharing your talents so generously and supporting the mission of Compassion Connection. It’s community members and local businesses like you who help us create more than an event—you help us create a night where families feel seen, supported, celebrated, and loved. ❤️

And they tasted every bit as good as they looked! 😋

If you’re looking for something special (and delicious!) for an upcoming celebration, check out Sweets & Treats by JC and show Julie some love! 🍪🧁

08/19/2026

🎉 COMMUNITY PARTNER SHOUT-OUT 🎉

One of the BIG hits at our 10th Annual Back-to-School Bash was definitely the bounce house! The kids jumped, played, laughed, and had an absolute blast—and it was all made possible by the generosity of Illumination Rentals. ❤️

Even more special to us, the owners of Illumination Rentals are foster parents themselves. They understand firsthand the heart behind this mission and generously donated the bounce house so the foster and kinship families at our event could simply have FUN and make some great memories together.

We are incredibly grateful for businesses that don't just serve our community—they invest in it. 💙

Thank you, Illumination Rentals, for supporting Compassion Connection, loving on foster families, and helping make our Back-to-School Bash such a special night!

If you're planning a party or event and need rentals, please consider supporting a local business that gives back to our community. Go check out Illumination Rentals and show them some love!