Construction in Progress at the Foster and Adoption Resource Center

Construction is underway at the Foster and Adoption Resource Center, the new home of the Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition.  Moving will allow us to expand our programming to include 24-Hour Crisis Intervention services and expanded recruitment services.   Along with the new Center, we will introduce a larger resale store, [RE]FRESH: A Fashion Coalition™, that will offer our families high-quality, low-cost clothing and will generate income through sales to the general public (see below or visit www.refreshstl.org for more about [RE]FRESH).  The Center will bring all the Coalition's programming under one roof, and will provide support for more than 10,000 people each year!  

Breana Conner a volunteer from College Bound helped get the rooms ready at the Foster and Adoption Resource Center.

The Center will be conveniently located in at 1750 S. Brentwood Blvd., St. Louis MO 63144.  More than 80% of Metro St. Louis' foster and adoptive families live within 30 minutes of the Center.

 

Click here to view updated photos of the construction progress!

Coalition in Action  

Before 12-year-old Dierra was fortunate enough to have her case referred to Extreme Recruitment™, her future looked dismal. She had come into foster care at age 7 due to extreme abuse and neglect - trauma that resulted in loneliness, depression, and negative behavior.  At age 12, she had said goodbye to her mother and siblings - as well as five different foster families.  She was failing school, and her future looked bleak. Within weeks, Dierra's Extreme Recruiter found 76 lost relatives and introduced her to some of them.  Most of her relatives either did not know about Dierra's situation or they did not know how to connect with her. Extreme Recruitment™ worked one-on-one with identified relatives and helped them understand the patience and commitment it would take to raise Dierra.  Click here to read the rest of her amazing story!

Volunteers Needed for Youth Job Fair April 2nd  

We are hosting our Third Annual Job Fair for foster and adopted teens and older youth. This workshop in Crestwood helps youth find summer employment and motivates them to start thinking about future after high school. We need 30 volunteers from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 2nd. Volunteers will be matched one-on-one with a youth and will coach them through mock interview questions, help them fill out a job application, and discuss their interests based on their skills and strengths. Interview questions, job applications, and other materials will be provided before the event.

Volunteers must have a clean criminal background check.  Register for this here.  For more information, contact Shelley at 314.367.8373 x29.

Become a Foster Friend

The Foster Friends are a premier group of Coalition volunteers who host fun events for foster and adopted kids each year, while giving foster/adoptive parents some time to themselves. Foster Friends also have exclusive opportunities to support foster children being adopted and they stay connected with the Coalition through special monthly updates. Interested in joining the Foster Friends? Click here to learn more. 

 
Love to Plan Room Parties?

We'd love for a volunteer to help plan fall, winter, and spring room parties for our 3 to 5 year olds, 6 to 8 year olds, and 9 to 10 year olds!  Games, arts and crafts activities, and other fun ideas would be appreciated!  You could help put on the party at one of our Saturday Training Extravaganzas, or just give us ideas and we'll find a group to carry it out.  If you can help, contact Shelley at 314.367.8373.