Foster Village

Foster Village Creating a village of support for children in the Austin area foster system and their caregivers. Recognized 501(c)(3) tax exempt with the IRS

The mission of Foster Village ® is to come alongside families in the foster care system and families at risk of separation and show them that they are not alone. By Equipping caregivers with critical necessities when a child enters their home, Connecting them with ongoing therapeutic support, and Advocating for community engagement beyond the system, we hope to bridge the gaps for our most vulnera

ble children and families. We know how important connection and stability are, especially during those first (often uncertain and traumatic) days. We also know that there is a community of caring individuals looking for ways to serve these families and children, but are unsure of how to help. It is our hope that we can create practical opportunities for a community that cares to join hands with those in need of support.

08/31/2026

In 2019, Foster Village held its first-ever gala, gathering as a village to celebrate and advocate for the children and families experiencing foster care who make up this community.

As the year went on, 2019 proved to be a year of connection. We found a new home for our North Austin expansion, the space that would become Limerick, so we could walk alongside even more families right where they needed us: foster homes navigating emergency placements, kinship families keeping siblings together, and biological families reunifying and bringing their children home. It was a year full of caregivers connecting with caregivers, and children getting to simply play.

That same spirit of connection is what brings us together again this year. In seven weeks, on October 18th, we're gathering to celebrate a "A Decade of Belonging" at this year's Grow the Village Gala.

Seats are going fast, so grab yours soon at the link in our bio. 🤍

Our friends at HomeAid Austin rallied the community to collect thousands of needed diapers. When it came time to delive...
08/25/2026

Our friends at HomeAid Austin rallied the community to collect thousands of needed diapers. When it came time to deliver the two pallets full of diapers and wipes, our friends at Partnerships for Children saved the day with their moving truck and extra hands to help.

Pflex Solutions just happened to be volunteering with us when the truck arrived, working on organizing and inventorying, so they came out to form an assembly line to unload the giant donation drop-off.

Thankful for these organizations and a local business that came together to make sure our community’s kids have their needs met — a sweet reminder that it really does take a village.

08/24/2026

In 2018, Foster Village launched its first affiliate location in Charlotte, North Carolina. Founded and led by several foster mamas who saw the same gaps our founder, Chrystal, had seen in the child welfare system, our model of support was now being utilized to cultivate community beyond the system, beyond Austin.

And 2018 continued to be full of firsts. Chrystal made her first trip to the Texas State Capitol to advocate on behalf of families, and we hosted Black Tie Bowling, our first major fundraising event, complete with cocktail attire and bowling shoes in the same room.

In eight weeks, on October 18th, we're gathering for our now annual event, our Grow the Village Gala. No bowling shoes this time, but lots of beautiful space to celebrate ten years of impact and everyone who has helped this village grow.

We hope you'll join us for A Decade of Belonging. Grab your tickets at the link in our bio. 🤍

In the last 7 days, 24 families navigating the child welfare system reached out to Foster Village for essential items, a...
08/21/2026

In the last 7 days, 24 families navigating the child welfare system reached out to Foster Village for essential items, and this village of support got straight to work assembling welcome packs, comfort packs, and loading up cribs, car seats, and more.

In the last 7 days:

💛 Grandparents opened their doors to welcome grandchildren home.
💛 Moms who've worked hard toward reunification got ready to bring their kids back under one roof.
💛 Parents navigating recovery kept showing up for their kids, every step of the way.
💛 Foster families said yes to sibling sets, so brothers and sisters could stay together.

Twenty-four families. Twenty-four different situations. One community beyond the system, ensuring no one walks alone.

💛 Want to help equip the next family who reaches out? Shop our Wish List at the link in bio.

Did you know Foster Village hosts 9 support gatherings every month?Gatherings are where caregivers can exhale and proces...
08/19/2026

Did you know Foster Village hosts 9 support gatherings every month?

Gatherings are where caregivers can exhale and process the toughest twists and turns of a messy system.

Gatherings are where foster parents get advice on navigating court dates and confusing medical appointments, and where kinship caregivers can ask questions about school advocacy and sensory challenges.

Gatherings are where post-adopt parents can better understand the behaviors that have popped up years after adoption, and reunified parents can find relationships and resources that continue to build stability.

Gatherings are where everyone in the room truly gets it.

Some gatherings are held at our resource centers and include childcare and a meal, made possible by this community beyond the system. Others are at local spots, giving caregivers a couple of hours to refuel.

All of them help sustain caregivers, so they can keep providing the best love and support for the children in their homes.

Whether you're a caregiver or a community member who wants to help, there's a place for you in our gatherings!

If you spend any time around Foster Village, you'll start to notice we talk about Community Beyond the System so often.H...
08/18/2026

If you spend any time around Foster Village, you'll start to notice we talk about Community Beyond the System so often.

Here's what that means to us as we wrap around families navigating foster care.

08/17/2026

In 2017, when Hurricane Harvey hit the Texas coast, this community stepped up with incredible generosity for local families. It was a powerful reminder of why Foster Village needed a permanent place to call home, and that same year, we found it.

The little yellow house in Dripping Springs, now known as Oak Haven, became our home base. Today, it remains a space where play, connection, and family support come together every day.

Nine weeks from tonight, on October 18th, we’re gathering to celebrate ten years of impact and the community that makes spaces like Oak Haven possible.

We hope you’ll join us for A Decade of Belonging. Grab your tickets at the link in our bio. 🤍

Sometimes, a simple cup of lemonade can spark something much bigger.In June, when neighbors across ATX were hosting lemo...
08/14/2026

Sometimes, a simple cup of lemonade can spark something much bigger.

In June, when neighbors across ATX were hosting lemonade stands, one community member noticed a pop-up stand in her neighborhood.

She went down the street to support the kiddos and quickly learned that the funds from her delicious lemonade purchase wasn't actually going to these hard-working entrepreneurs, but to children and families in our city navigating the child welfare system.

As she sipped her lemonade, she had the opportunity to hear all about Foster Village for the first time. She loved learning about our mission, our programs, and the thousands of children we've walked alongside, and soon after that cup of lemonade, she reached out to find a way to volunteer.

Turns out, she and her husband had been thinking about fostering for a long time too, and connecting with this village was an incredible way to learn even more.

Now, they're in the licensing process to become foster parents, still volunteering, and preparing to open their home to a child who needs a safe place to land.

That's the kind of ripple one lemonade stand can create, and this year, dozens popped up across Austin, raising funds and awareness for kids and families navigating foster care.

Today, we're celebrating a few of the many stands that made this year's campaign so sweet. Swipe through for this year's Lemonade Stand Awards, and thank you to every single person who was part of this year's campaign. 💛

We're so proud to share this exciting news! 🎉Chrystal Smith, Foster Village's Founder and CEO, has been named a finalist...
08/14/2026

We're so proud to share this exciting news! 🎉

Chrystal Smith, Foster Village's Founder and CEO, has been named a finalist for The Ripple Effect Award (the Community Impact Award) as part of the 2026 Women of Worth (WOW) Celebration in Dripping Springs — an award recognizing a woman whose actions make a meaningful difference in the lives of others, strengthening the heart of the community through service, passion, and purpose.

For the last decade, Chrystal has led with heart, building a community beyond the system where children and families experiencing foster care are seen, supported, and never alone. Her ripple has now reached more than 30,000 children and families through Foster Village's growing nationwide affiliate network.

The WOW Celebration is a community-wide celebration of the women who lead, serve, create, mentor, and encourage throughout Dripping Springs. We're honored to see Chrystal recognized among so many women who lift and shape this community!

The celebration takes place Thursday, Aug. 27 at Canyonwood Ridge. Help us cheer on Chrystal and all of this year's finalists!

Address

15400 Fitzhugh Road
Dripping Springs, TX
78620

Telephone

(512) 599-4144

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