How Our Ministry Helps Foster Families in Virginia

At Foster Love Ministries, our Support Program is a cornerstone of the care we provide to foster children and resource families across Virginia. Through meaningful community partnerships, we meet urgent needs at the time of foster care placement, bringing comfort, dignity, and practical support when it matters most.

 

How Our Ministry Uses CarePortal

At Foster Love Ministries, CarePortal helps bring our entire community together around children and families experiencing crisis.

CarePortal is a technology platform that connects vetted, real-time needs identified by local child welfare professionals with people in the community who want to help.

 

While the local church is intentionally at the center of the CarePortal network, everyone can be involved. Individuals, businesses, civic organizations, community groups, nonprofits, and churches can all play a role in helping children and strengthening families.

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What Is CarePortal?

CarePortal creates a bridge between child welfare agencies, local churches, and the broader community.

When a child or family has a need, a child welfare professional can submit a vetted request through CarePortal. That request is shared with participating churches and community partners, creating an opportunity for people right here in our community to respond.

 

Requests may support children entering foster care, foster and kinship families, families working toward reunification, or families experiencing a crisis where practical support can help children remain safely with those who love them.

 

Everyone Can Do Something

You don’t have to be part of a church or organization to make a difference.

There are many ways to participate:

• Churches can become Connecting Churches and respond directly to local families.

• Businesses and organizations can become Community Champions and use their resources, skills, or networks to help.

• Individuals can give toward needs, donate items, volunteer, or help fulfill requests.

• Community groups and civic organizations can rally around specific needs or projects.

• Anyone can help spread the word and invite others to get involved.

 

Some people give financially. Some donate a bed. Some deliver a meal. Some have a truck and help move furniture. Others simply show up and build a relationship.

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More Than Meeting a Need

A CarePortal request may begin with something simple—a bed, clothing, diapers, help with a utility bill, or another practical need.

But the item is often only the beginning.

 

When people show up for one another, a transaction can become a connection. Families realize they are not navigating difficult circumstances alone, foster and kinship caregivers gain a community around them, and local child welfare workers have partners willing to step into the gap.

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That’s why we believe connection changes everything.

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Why It Matters

CarePortal gives our community a practical way to care for children and families before, during, and after foster care.

It brings together child welfare professionals who know the need, churches positioned to build meaningful relationships, and community members with gifts and resources they are willing to share.

 

The local church may be at the center of the CarePortal network, but there is room for everyone at the table.

 

Together, we can strengthen families, support caregivers, serve children, and build a community where no family has to walk through crisis alone.

 

Everyone can do something.