What We Do
Fostering Wishes' programs are essential in supporting foster children by filling critical gaps in education, stability, and life skills, empowering them to succeed as they transition into adulthood.
Holiday Gift Drive
The Holiday Gift Drive is Fostering Wishes’ signature program, designed to bring joy and warmth to foster children during the holiday season. Each year, we collaborate with businesses and the community to provide gifts, ensuring every foster child receives something special just for them. But the gifts represent more than material items—they carry a message that these children are remembered, valued, and cared for, even in challenging times. The Holiday Gift Drive offers more than presents; it fosters hope, connection, and a sense of belonging, making the holidays brighter for hundreds of foster children each year.
Duffel Bag Initiative
The Duffle Bag Program gives foster children a sense of dignity and ownership during difficult transitions. Foster children often move between homes with little notice, and many must use trash bags to carry their belongings. This program provides sturdy duffle bags filled with essential items like clothing, toiletries, and comfort items, helping them feel prepared and valued during uncertain times. Beyond the practical items, the duffle bags offer stability and respect, showing foster children that they deserve more than a trash bag—they deserve care, no matter the circumstances.
Teen Empowerment
The Teen Empowerment Program ensures foster teens have equal access to extracurricular activities, allowing them to fully engage in the high school experience. Whether it’s sports, clubs, or school events, these activities are essential for building confidence, developing social skills, and fostering a sense of belonging. Foster youth often face financial or logistical barriers that prevent them from participating, and this program provides the necessary funding to cover costs like sports fees, uniforms, and event tickets. By ensuring foster teens can participate alongside their peers, we help them feel included, valued, and connected to their school community, empowering their personal growth and social integration.
Resource guide
In California, most foster youth “age out” of the system between ages 18 and 21, at which point they are expected to navigate adulthood independently. Unfortunately, many lack the guidance and life skills training necessary to manage housing, finances, health care, and educational or employment pathways. As a result, a significant number face homelessness or incarceration, with only a few pursuing higher education. To support their transition into self-sufficient adulthood, Fostering Wishes has developed a comprehensive resource guide. This guide helps foster youth connect with essential services, including financial assistance, health care, housing, counseling, and other support networks.
Trade School Scholarships
The Trade School Scholarship Program empowers foster youth to pursue vocational education and career opportunities beyond traditional academic paths. Recognizing that not all students are interested in or suited for college, this program provides financial support for foster youth to attend trade schools, vocational programs, or technical institutions. This initiative gives foster youth the opportunity to build a secure and independent future through hands-on training and career readiness. It is designed to create a clear path to self-sufficiency, helping foster youth succeed in fields that align with their talents and interests.