The Damascus Initiative

06/27/2026

This year marks big changes for our caseworkers and we couldn't be more excited to stand behind them ready to help. What started as 6 caseworkers in Southeast MO has turned into 5 regions across the entire state.

02/10/2026

12/02/2025

You've shopped every sale from pre black Friday to the waning hours of Cyber Monday... did you remember Giving Tuesday? Find a charity, any charity... we would love it to be ours, but we would be happy if you chose any to spread joy, kindness, generosity, and most of all love. The anxiety of the season cannot thrive where gratitude is sewn. Donating to make yourself feel good may not be a selfless good deed, but in the spirit of the season we think it's worth it.

11/13/2025

https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/11/fostering-the-future-for-american-children-and-families/

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered:

09/25/2025

You don't have to have a connection to the foster system to be called to be part of the solution!

Of course Batman, would step in! Well done, Christian Bale!

"Batman" actor Christian Bale is on a mission to help kids who could use a real-life superhero, by helping build Together California, a foster care home desi...

09/14/2025

The homelessness in our nation is garnering a lot of attention, and rightfully so. What do we do? How do we help? But mostly, how do we prevent it? Did you know that according to the National Foster Youth Institute, "The child welfare system is sometimes described as a highway to homelessness. An estimated 20 percent of young adults who are in care become homeless the moment they’re emancipated at the age of 18. And nationwide, 50% of the homeless population spent time in foster care." Our kids in care don't get a "moved back in with the parents when life goes sideways" back up plan! Please join us in helping our youth find meaningful and life changing support.

02/14/2025

Happy Valentine’s Day! ❤️

Today, we want to remind you how much love and appreciation we have for each and every one of you. Your kindness, donations, and dedication allow us to continue supporting foster youth aging out of the system. Because of you, we can give them hope, guidance, and a brighter future. Thank you for being a part of our mission—we couldn’t do it without you! Wishing you a day filled with love and joy! ❤️

01/30/2025

This weekend we fielded 2 requests for rent assistance. It feels so amazing to be able to say "Yes!" when we get these calls from the caseworkers.

But...our generous Christmas funding has already dried up and January isn't over yet. A padded bank account is huge in this world. A lot of the needs that come to us are immediate. Sometimes, even as an adult, asking for help early doesn't come to mind. It's when you realize you actually can't scrape that money together in a week that panic mode sets in. These are life lessons being taught to these youth and yes some lessons are learned best the hard way. In their life, every lesson has been hard and we love the opportunity to come alongside and say, "It doesn't always have to be this way."

If you're feeling generous enough to donate to the future fund- we would be forever grateful!
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=WKXXABCAL69JC

01/13/2025

Because of you; this week we were able to provide a housing deposit and uniforms for a young man starting at Ranken this semester.

Can we take a minute to highlight the life changing affect this has? We aren't necessarily ever going to know the true scope of the impact we are having but we encourage you to join us!

Small donations add up to big changes!

01/09/2025

Who are we? Who do we support? Why should you trust us?

In the state of Missouri government employees (ie. Caseworkers) cannot solicit funds. We are a 501c(3) non profit aimed at shamelessly begging when the caseworkers from the R.O.Y.A.L.S ask for help. Who are they? Please take the time to read this article. It's how we came to know of their existence and decided to act.

Most importantly: why should you trust us? That's a hard one to articulate. We've been jaded by the system. The amount of money some charities take in versus what finds it way to those they are helping makes us a lot sick, and that just isn't what we're about. Not knowing a trustworthy foundation we could personally vette, we are vetting our own. We've paid the legal fees for creating the foundation personally. We've funded needs, that couldn't be met by donations, personally. We have skin in the game, because we care. And we won't stop caring even if it's just us funding it...personally.

About 450 foster children age out of the system each year in Missouri. They can remain in foster care until the age of 21. Ann Bockman, a field support manager with the Missouri Children’s Division, said the state noticed that when some of these young people left the state’s care, they were stru...