08/08/2026
A child walks through our doors just 30 minutes after their entire world has changed.
They may come in quiet. They may come in crying. They may be angry, scared, overwhelmed or honestly, absolutely nothing to do with us or anything we have to offer.
And that’s okay. Because sometimes, little by little, something catches their eye.
Maybe it’s a Squishmallow tucked on a shelf. A baby doll they immediately reach for. A pair of pajamas with their favorite character. A book about adventures. A basketball. A Barbie. A brand new pair of Van shoes in their favorite color.
And suddenly, we get a tiny glimpse of who they are.
What makes these moments even more meaningful is that often, the foster family standing beside them is learning right along with us.
Thirty minutes earlier, they may have received a phone call or text with only a few sentences: an age, a clothing size, maybe a name and a little bit of their story. Then suddenly, there is a child standing in front of them whom they have said yes to without knowing their favorite color, what makes them laugh, what they love, what comforts them, or what makes them feel like themselves.
Sometimes a Squishmallow or baby doll is how we discover what brings a smile. Sometimes a pair of pajamas starts the first conversation…….And sometimes, in the middle of one of the hardest days of a child’s life, choosing something that is completely and entirely theirs is the first little piece of control they’ve had all day.
These are the reason we keep showing up.
Because sometimes the smallest thing really does make the biggest difference.
Fosteringfaithfoundation.org
Lighting the way with Love, Hope and Resources
