Ways to Help

Every child deserves to know they are valued, cared for, and not alone. Even if fostering or adopting isn’t the right fit for you, there are still many ways to make a difference. Each effort—-big or small-—helps create brighter futures for youth in foster care and those stepping into adulthood on their own.

Whether it’s you as an individual, your family, a school, a community, or an organization, there are many ways to support youth in foster care and young adults navigating life after it.

Quick and Easy

• Raise awareness: Whether in person or online, share about the need for foster and adoptive families with your friends, family, coworkers, and social circles.
• Donate items: Spring cleaning? Have clothes, books, or toys your kids have outgrown? Donate them to a local foster closet or agency.
  Recruitment or Prayer cards: If you have an upcoming event or attend a place of worship, order free cards featuring some of our kids to have on display or to share.
• Financial donation: Give directly to an agency or program that supports youth in foster care.

Get More Involved

• Organize a group drive: Invite your school, workplace, or community group to gather gently-used items and donate them together.
• Volunteer with a local foster or adoption agency: Help regularly or at a special event like a respite day, fundraiser, or holiday program for youth in foster care.
• Provide respite care: Offer short-term relief for caregivers, adoptive parents, or guardians. Contact the Foster Care Navigator Program, your local MDHHS office, or a foster or adoption agency near you.

GO BIG!

• Mentor a youth: A consistent, caring relationship can make all the difference for a young person in foster care. Let Mentor Michigan, YMCA, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boys and Girls Club, or Child Help USA know you'd like to mentor a youth in foster care.
• Formally advocate: Become a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) to support a child in court. You can also follow child welfare legislation and contact your lawmakers to share your voice.
• Host a youth transitioning to independence: Some agencies coordinate independent living programs where families host older youth moving from foster care to adulthood.

Get Your Organization or Business Involved

• Photographers needed: Volunteer your skills to photograph youth and families for MARE’s Heart Gallery and events. (You’ll always receive artistic credit!) MARE needs photographers around the state, and agencies may be looking for volunteers, too.
• Provide event space: Donate or sponsor a venue for adoption-related events, like MARE Meet & Greets. Commitment can vary from providing space only to offering fully support an event.
• Host MARE’s Heart Gallery: The Heart Gallery is a traveling photographic exhibit and can be displayed at community events, businesses, places of worship, and more. Shipping is always free!

Bonus Ways to Help:

Follow us on social media and start a conversation:

• Facebook: @MichiganAdoptionResourceExchange
• Instagram: @mareinmichigan
• YouTube: @VideosbyMARE