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MISSION STATEMENT: 

To walk alongside children in the foster care system, as well as their caretakers, by offering consistent support through intentional giving, relationship building and mentorship.
INTENTIONAL GIVING:
We define intentional giving as the giving of thoughtful gifts and resources that meet the real needs of the removed child and their entire family.
RELATIONSHIP BUILDING:
We define relationship building as devoting time and energy to foster healthy relationships that promote healing through connection.
MENTORSHIP:
We define mentorship as equipping and empowering our children to be prepared for adult living and reach their fullest potential.

VISION STATEMENT:

Creating sustainable change in the foster care system.
Our dream is to see every child in the foster care system supported by a Love Box group and every youth supported by a Dare to Dream mentor.  There are currently around 1300 children in foster care in Idaho. 

THE PROBLEM

The staggering outcomes and statistics of children in foster care are bleak:
• Up to 29% of former foster youth experience homelessness by age 24.
• About 30% of Idaho foster youth have been incarcerated by time they are 19.
• About 1 in 4 Idaho foster youth have not graduated high school or gotten a GED by the time they are 19.

OUR SOLUTION

THE LOVE BOX 
Our Love Box program is an opportunity to take further action by connecting with other dedicated volunteers to create a pathway of hope for children in the foster care system. Volunteers meet practical, everyday needs, and build intentional relationships with the family they serve.

DARE TO DREAM 
Our Dare to Dream program is a one-on-one mentorship  program for aged-out or at-risk-to-age-out foster youth (ages ranging from 15-21). Our mentors are advocates, role models, valued friends, available resources, cheerleaders, and career enthusiasts.
Sources:
https://www.fosterfocusmag.com/articles/foster-care-and-homelessness
https://www.guttmacher.org/gpr/2011/06/teen-pregnancy-among-young-women-foster-care-primer
Unrau, Y. A., Font, S. A., & Rawls, G. (2012). Readiness for college engagement among students who have aged out of foster care. Children and Youth Services Review, 34, 76-83. doi:10.1016/j.childyouth.2011.09.002
Courtney, E. M., Dworsky, A., Brown, A., Cary, C., Love, K., & Vorhies, V. (2011). Midwest Evaluation of the Adult Functioning of Former Foster Youth: Outcomes at age 26. Chicago, IL: Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago.
http://txchildren.org/posts/2018/4/16/report-texas-must-address-teen-pregnancy-teen-parents-in-foster-care
http://www.jemfriends.org/the-need/
https://www.childtrends.org/publications/transition-age-facts-idaho

What we believe:

COMMUNITY
  • We believe foster families are the closest touch point to relational healing for children in foster care. 
  • We believe our organization operates most effectively when our Board of Directors and staff serve as active     participants in one or more of our programs and/or services. 
  • We believe no child or person should be discriminated against or refused services as a result of race, gender, age, economic background, sexual orientation or any other demographic characteristic. 
  • We believe our services are more effective when we celebrate the diverse needs and interests of the children and families we serve. 
  • We believe in sharing our knowledge openly with other cities/chapters so national capacity to serve children in foster care grows.

EMPOWERMENT
  • We believe children in foster care are children first and foremost- they are priceless creations and meant to thrive. 
  • We believe all children have the capacity to pursue meaningful lives when given the tools and support to achieve their fullest potential.  
  • We believe in the value of practice tools such as education, advocacy and physical resources for promoting life success for children in foster care. 
  • We believe in equipping our staff to deliver quality programs that help children in foster care begin to flourish.  
  • We believe in encouraging our volunteers to use their full talent and compassion in serving children in foster care.  

HOPE
  • We believe in restoring hope for children in foster care by reminding children of their value and capacity for success. 
  • We believe in providing a wrap-around approach that nurtures the children and families involved in the foster care system. 
  • We believe all children deserve safety, permanency, well-being and a strong sense of belonging. 
  • We believe the impact of trauma can be mitigated when we love intentionally and focus on relational healing. 
  • We believe in sharing in the emotional journey to healing for children in foster care.