May is National Foster Care Month - a time to pause and honor the amazing families, children, and professionals who are part of the foster care community.
Foster care is a world where everyday people step up to give kids safety, support, and sometimes just a soft place to land. Whether you’re a foster parent, a worker helping guide the process, or a friend or family member offering support, you are part of a bigger story - one that reminds us how important it is to show up for all kids.
What Foster Families Want You to Know
Children in foster care often enter the system during one of the hardest times in their lives. They’re not always looking for grand gestures. What they need most is stability, kindness, and consistency. Even if it’s just for a little while, those things can make a big difference.
Foster parenting isn’t about being perfect. It is about being present. Many foster parents say they don’t have all the answers. They just have room in their hearts and homes.
We spoke with Rachel, a Bright Beginnings participant who has been a foster parent for 7.5 years. She shared: “One thing I wish people knew about fostering is that we are not saints. We hear that a lot. We’re just people who felt the call to foster, regardless of why. We are proof that you absolutely can get attached and still let them go. It’s very rewarding to put in the hard work for these kids and see good outcomes.”
A Few Ways to Support This Month, Even If You’re Not a Foster Parent
Rachel wants people to know: “Friends and neighbors can help foster parents just by being there for them.”
Here are some easy ways to show up:
Listen and learn. Read or share stories from foster youth and foster families. The more we understand, the more we can help.
Donate items or meals. Local foster closets and support groups often need basics like diapers, books, or backpacks. Meals or rides help too. Rachel says: "Donating clothes in our new kids' sizes or bringing meals - those are the things I appreciate the most."
Check in. Know a foster family? Ask how they’re doing. “Even just holding a baby so we can catch up on housework really helps,” Rachel adds.
Think about the future. If you’ve ever thought about fostering or respite care, this might be your sign to learn more.
Real Parenting, Real Impact
Being a parent is never easy. But this month, we celebrate those who open their lives to children who need it most. Thank you to every foster parent, kinship caregiver, mentor, and child welfare worker. Your work may not always be seen, but its impact is huge.
About the Author:
Heather Sakai has been a member of the Bright Beginnings team since early 2022, serving as the Social Media Engagement Coordinator. She holds a Master of Science in Social Service Administration and a Master of Arts in Contemporary Dance from Case Western Reserve University. Heather brings experience in social work and mood disorders research, marketing and social media, as well as dance instruction for children and adults in both the United States and abroad. Passionate about connecting people through social media, Heather strives to make it a safe space to ask questions, be vulnerable, and share successes and struggles. She is also the administrator of Cuyahoga Parents Connect and warmly invites you to join if you are a parent or caregiver of a child from birth to kindergarten, or if you are expecting a child.