Varner Foundation for Children and Families

06/13/2026

OUT OF THE BOX …
The VF has built its reputation not only on its integrity, speed, and generosity but also on all the OUT OF THE BOX unfunded critical needs that we finance for children that have been physically and\or psychologically wounded through abuse and neglect. Whether it is a portable oxygen unit, so an infant in withdrawal can leave ICU and be placed in a loving foster home, or helping to pay for a critically ill foster child to get back to her mom in Ohio, or 200 pairs of back-to-school shoes for kinship kids living with a grandmother who is on a fixed income, there isn’t much we haven’t done.
The agencies we work with call us a “blessing” or “life savers” but in truth it’s our donors who desire the praise! It’s our donors that are responsible for being the heroes to the 3,387 foster/kinship kids we have helped when everyone else said “NO”. Join us! www.varnerfoundation.org

06/04/2026

05/28/2026

NOT EVERYONE CAN ….
Not everyone is able to foster a child BUT, everyone can help a child get what they need to heal, thrive, and succeed by supporting those that do. Welcome to our mission!
Learn more about the INCREDIBLE 3,387 KIDS whose lives our donors have changed in the last 4 years at www.varnerfoundation.org and follow us on Facebook to see your donor dollars at work each week. Become a donor, change another kid’s life.

05/17/2026

NIGHTMARES AND NIGHT TERRORS….
Re-experiencing traumatic events while sleeping, because of horrific abuse, is all too common and heartbreaking for children in Foster Care. Even in their sleep these kids don’t feel safe, making it difficult for their bodies to relax, get restorative rest and nurture neurological development. Sadly, that healing can be hindered if the foster/kinship child doesn’t have a proper bed to sleep in, which is the case for 2 to 3 three percent of these kids. They end up sleeping on floors and couches. Without a real bed, pediatricians tell us that their health is impacted as well as their emotional development and academic success...this is called “Bed Poverty". Beds are so critical for children in foster/kinship care that many judges will not sign off on placing a child in a home without a proper bed which for many caregivers is an added financial strain. This year alone, the VF has purchased and had delivered over 50 beds, 2 beds just this past week, so kids in foster care cannot only live in a safe home but start to rest peacefully and start to heal their bodies and minds, all thanks to our donors who change lives.
www.varnerfundation.org LIKE - SHARE- FOLLOW

05/09/2026

SHE RAN AWAY FROM A SEXUALLY ABUSIVE DAD five days after her 16th birthday….
She lived on the streets, couch surfed and spent time in shelters when there was room. Two years later, with a daily drug habit, she became pregnant and that changed everything. She gave birth while in recovery but her infant girl was placed in Foster Care but, as long as she stayed drug free, and she did, she was able to stay connect with her daughter with regular visits. Now, four years later she has gotten her GED, a full-time job, a tiny over garage apartment, and many successful weekend visits completed, and just two weeks ago child services has said she can have her daughter back full time but with one stipulation, the child needed a “real” bed. Donations to the Varner Foundation not only help children in foster/kinship care but helps children go home again. We don’t get to help with reunification of children and their parent(s) often, so this is special…. now that’s the BEST kind of Mother’s Day gift!
www.varnerfoundation.org PLEASE LIKE-SHARE-FOLLOW!

05/03/2026

UNABLE TO SIT, EAT, WALK OR COMMUNICATE....

This condition is called “Globally Delay” and this week two of the grant requests the VF received were for children, both under five years old, with this diagnosis. Sadly, one of them was also blind. Placing “high needs” children with just the right foster caregivers is no easy task, and the expense and huge time commitment to care for a little one with these challenges is monumental. So, when the right couple or family have spent time searching their hearts, praying about it, talking it through, and then making the commitment to give this child a home, it truly takes a lot of resource help. Thanks to our donors, these caregivers got what they needed to be well-equipped for this new chapter in their lives. We are so grateful for caregivers that give so much of their focus and energy on loving these special little ones.
Please help us get the word out about the VF mission: LIKE-SHARE-FOLLOW www.varnerfoundation.org

04/26/2026

PROMISES, PROMISES, PROMISES …
A young single aunt, living in a tiny two-bedroom apartment, who opened her heart to her two baby nephews,17 months apart in age, who had been significantly physically abused, with one infant boy needing multiple surgeries! The aunt had secured two cribs from friends but only one car seat, leaving her without a second car seat and several other critical necessities for these boys. Everything in their care was a juggle, she was exhausted and even getting them to Doctor’s appointments was near impossible. Her minimal kinship stipend, she had been PROMISED by the government to offset her expenses in setting up a home for the boys, was over 5 months late and counting! Her social worker reached out to the VF for help and less than 24 hours later, what she needed for the boys was delivered to her front door…thanks to our VF donors. We love helping people like this aunt who turn their lives upside down to care for the most weak and venerable! PLEASE LIKE - SHARE - FOLLOW. www.varnerfoundation.org

04/25/2026

When you partner with the BEST to get your mission out there! Thank you FC Cincinnati for helping us share our mission of standing in the unfunded critical resource gaps for kids and families in foster and kinship care!!!! Please LIKE-SHARE~FOLLOW!!!
www.Varnerfoundation.org

04/15/2026

Successful outcomes for kids in foster care are critical, and it starts with providing foster families the resources they need to care and help these traumatized kids heal. This is why the Varner Foundation was established. To fund critical unfunded resources for foster families when others can't or won't.
Please donate today at www.varnerfoundation.org

04/12/2026

ALL THEY HAVE LEFT IS EACH OTHER ....
After filling the little apartment's refrigerator with the girls' favorites, mom quietly walked out the front door in the middle of the night and disappeared.
That was 7 months ago, and they are now living with grandma. There was no one else if they wanted to stay together. Foster Care would mean they were split up and maybe in homes hours away from each other. With help from neighbors and Grandma's church, food, clothing and other accessories weren't a problem but the big things like beds, a dresser and bedding for the small room they shared were financially out of reach and every agency they reached out to for help said "no". Thanks to the continued generosity of the VF donors, the girls now have what they need ... and it is ALL pink!
In the meantime, Grandma continues to hold out hope that the mom the girls keep asking for will one day come back ... maybe tomorrow.
PLEASE-LIKE-SHARE-FOLLOW-DONATE
varnerfoundation.org