What we do

Every kid deserves to feel joy.

Especially the fundamental joys of childhood -- celebrating holidays, the connection to nature, the simplicity of summer camp, the grounding of yoga and the individual recognition of a birthday. We ensure that kids in foster care have the opportunities for joy and hope through some of the toughest times of their lives. Help us lift their spirits.

Who we serve

Fostering Hope serves kids, pre-teens, teens and young adults whose lives are directly impacted by foster care throughout Northeast Ohio. Through no fault of their own, our kids are facing challenges, fears, and feelings of isolation that stem from a fractured family environment. Fostering Hope listens and tries to understand the challenges that they are facing. We bring them experiences that enrich their lives and help these kids do what they do best – be kids. We connect caring individuals, organizations, companies, and community partners throughout Greater Cleveland with gratifying volunteer and donor experiences to lift the spirits of kids greatly in need. Join us in helping these awesome, resilient, and amazing kids.

Programs

Fostering Hope brings joyful experiences and programs to children whose lives are directly impacted by foster care to discover their sense of self though evidence-based programs.

Childhood
Experiences

Fostering Hope provides access to enriching, spirit-lifting experiences for kids facing the tough, unfair challenges of a fractured family environment and displacement.

Bunny Hop
for Hope

The Bunny Hop for Hope event celebrates the arrival of spring in Northeast Ohio in the sweetest way. Our team of volunteers, along with the Easter Bunny, bring breakfast to children in residential care along with baskets full of fun gifts and treats. 

Holiday
Gift'n Greet

The holiday season can feel lonely and isolating for a child who can’t be with his or her family. Holiday Gift ‘n Greet brings the joy of the holiday season to our kids. Through generous sponsors, our kids receive wrapped gifts from their wish list, personally delivered by our volunteers and sponsors at a holiday party. 

Birthdays
with Hope

Every child deserves to have their special day recognized, no matter what the circumstance. Birthdays with Hope celebrates our kids’ birthdays with personalized gifts and a greeting card.

Journey
Bags

Children in foster care often use trash bags to move their belongings from placement to placement. Fostering Hope’s Journey Bags program ensures that our kids have luggage for transporting their belongings. Each Journey Bag is filled with comforting items and necessary essentials. 

Ways to Help

Health &
Wellness

Fostering Hope provides access to enriching, spirit-lifting experiences for kids facing the tough, unfair challenges of a fractured family environment and displacement.

Hope in
Balance

Hope in Balance brings the practices of yoga, meditation and art therapy to our kids in a safe, supportive environment. Our team of highly-trained, trauma-informed yoga teachers use age-appropriate practices to support our kids, physically, mentally and spiritually. The Hope in Balance program empowers our kids with the mental and physical toolkits to feel centered and grounded through life. Contact us to learn more.

Wonder
Camp

Fostering Hope is giving Northeast Ohio kids in foster
care meaningful outdoor experiences through summer camp. Through our generous donors and volunteers, Camp Kits will be created with everything needed to prepare kids for their summer adventure. Help us make lifelong memories for our kids who wouldn’t have these opportunities without Fostering Hope. Formerly called Footpath to Hope.

Hope
Grows Here

Research suggests that spending time in nature results in lowered anxiety and improved concentration, among other benefits. Children involved in Hope Grows Here create, tend and maintain a garden on the grounds of residential foster treatment while learning through a STEM-based curriculum developed in partnership with the Cleveland Botanical Garden. Step up to help foster an interest in environmentalism and nature in budding young minds.

Hope in
Balance

Hope in Balance brings the practices of yoga, meditation and art therapy to our kids in a safe, supportive environment. Our team of highly-trained, trauma-informed yoga teachers use age-appropriate practices to support our kids, physically, mentally and spiritually. The Hope in Balance program empowers our kids with the mental and physical toolkits to feel centered and grounded through life. Contact us to learn more.

Footpath
to Hope

In partnership with Footpath Foundation, Fostering Hope is giving Northeast Ohio kids in foster care meaningful outdoor experiences through summer camp. Through our generous donors and volunteers, Camp Kits will be created with everything needed to prepare kids for their summer adventure. Help us make lifelong memories for our kids who wouldn’t have these opportunities without Fostering Hope and Footpath Foundation.

Hope
Grows Here

Research suggests that spending time in nature results in lowered anxiety and improved concentration, among other benefits. Children involved in Hope Grows Here create, tend and maintain a garden on the grounds of residential foster treatment while learning through a STEM-based curriculum developed in partnership with the Cleveland Botanical Garden.

Journey
Bags

Children in foster care often use trash bags to move their belongings from placement to placement. Fostering Hope’s Journey Bags program ensures that our kids have luggage for transporting their belongings. Each Journey Bag is filled with comforting items and necessary essentials. 

Ways to Help

Community
Involvement

Fostering Hope provides access to enriching, spirit-lifting experiences for kids facing the tough, unfair challenges of a fractured family environment and displacement.

Dreams

The Dreams program is providing stable mentoring relationships and enriching experiences to young people who trust Fostering Hope and are now transitioning from residential treatment and foster care to aging out. Volunteer mentors and youth engage in outings and experiences while the youth prepare to age out, ultimately becoming a permanent part of each others’ lives.

Volunteer Form
Dreams
Extreme Hope Makeovers

Extreme Hope Makeovers

Extreme Hope Makeover volunteers exchange sweat for smiles. Groups of volunteers from area organizations complete home improvement projects at community foster homes or residential treatment centers. Previous projects range from complete yard transformations to simply a new coat of paint. 

Ways to Help

Partner
Agencies

Give Hope

Join our mission to bring hope to children who need your help.