5 Creative Ways to Serve Foster and Adoptive Families
7 Pasos para Convertirse en Padre de Crianza
Things that matter are hard… but we don’t have to do it alone.
Welcoming a child into your home—whether for a night or a lifetime—comes with beauty, heartbreak, and everything in between. It’s sacred work. And while trauma may begin before a placement, it doesn’t end because they were placed with a family. That’s why showing up in small, intentional ways for families matters—over and over again.
We’re excited to share that our team has created a guide: a collection of 31 simple, meaningful ways to say, “You’re not alone. We see you. We’re in it with you.”
This blog features the first 5 ideas from that list, but you can access the full guide here to explore all 31 ways to serve foster and adoptive families. →
Whether you’re a neighbor, friend, church, or business, these ideas help create rhythms of care that don’t overwhelm or overstep—but gently remind families that healing happens AS ONE.
Everyone can do something! Here are a few great places to start.
1) Sponsor A Membership
How it Helps:
Give the gift that keeps on giving! Covering a membership to a local trampoline park, zoo, or children’s museum offers ongoing moments of joy, energy release, and normalcy for kids in foster care—and a break for caregivers.
How to Do It:
Ask the family what places their kids love most, or offer a few options to choose from. Purchase the membership in their name and include a note reminding them they’re not alone in this. It’s a one-time gift with year-round impact.
Tips & Tricks:
- Avoid making it feel like charity—frame it as an investment in connection and healing.
- Be mindful of overstimulation if the child is new to the home or has sensory sensitivities.
- Respect privacy; drop off discreetly or coordinate ahead of time.
2) Send a Handwritten Card in the Mail
How it Helps:
Tips & Tricks:
- Keep it encouraging, not overly emotional or assumptive.
- Don’t ask questions or expect a response.
3) Plan a “Parent Night In” with dinner and a movie
How it Helps:
Foster parenting can be emotionally and physically draining. Instead of sending them out, this creates space for rest and connection at home—no planning, babysitting, or pressure required.
How to Do It:
Create a cozy “night in” experience for foster parents to enjoy after the kids go to bed. Or, it could even be a special experience for the whole family—an easy dinner, a movie or streaming gift card, snacks, and something comforting like tea or a candle.
- A frozen or ready-to-heat meal like pizza
- Microwave popcorn with fun seasonings
- A movie rental or streaming gift card
- A short note that simply says, “We know going out can be challenging, but sometimes you can bring the movies to you!”
Tips & Tricks:
- Avoid anything that feels romantic or presumptuous—this can also be for a single caregiver.
- Make it feel like a treat, not a handout. Keep the tone light and kind.
- Respect dietary preferences and avoid strong fragrances unless you’re sure.
4) Celebrate Their Kid's Birthday Like It Matters (Because It Does)
How it Helps:
Children and youth involved with the foster care system often arrive without a record of celebration—no baby book, no birthday photos, no traditions. Remembering their birthday is more than sweet—it tells them they are known, valued, and worth celebrating.
How to Do It:
Ask the caregiver for the children’s birthdays (including youth who have aged out!) and make a plan to remember each one—whether it’s a card, cupcake delivery, balloon bouquet, or simple text to say, “We’re celebrating you today.”
- Keep a private list with names and birthdays.
- Set calendar reminders a few days before.
- Deliver a small gift, drop off a treat, or mail a card with a handwritten note.
- Celebrate in a way that feels personal, not performative.
Tips & Tricks:
- Be discreet—some children may not want attention or surprises. Ask the caregiver for guidance on tone and timing.
- Don’t expect a thank-you. Let it be about showing up, not being noticed.
- Use inclusive, affirming language like “You matter. We’re glad you were born.” rather than assuming this is a day with happy memories.
5) Monthly Book Drop
How it Helps:
Children and youth involved with the foster care system often move through life without consistent access to routines that build imagination, curiosity, or joy. A monthly book drop isn’t just about reading—it’s a reminder that someone sees their growth, cares about their interests, and believes in their potential. Each new story creates space for calm, connection, and possibility.
How to Do It:
Deliver a small box of brand-new books each month—tailored to the children’s ages, interests, or needs—wrapped up like a gift and dropped off at their door.
- Ask the caregiver about age ranges and interests.
- Pick 2–4 books per month and package them with care.
- Drop off at the door or mail directly, no fanfare needed.
- Consider including a note that says, “We thought of you when we picked these.”
Tips & Tricks:
- Avoid trauma-themed books unless requested by the caregiver.
- Be mindful of developmental stages and reading levels.
- Keep it simple—this is about connection.
Thank you for taking the time to learn how to serve your neighbors in need. When each of us finds our place along the River, we can come together AS ONE to make Houston a place where children heal and families thrive.
Looking for even more ways to support foster families? The ideas in this blog post are just a glimpse at what’s inside our full guide: 31 Creative Ways to Serve Foster and Adoptive Families.
Our team—who walks alongside foster families every day—handcrafted this resource with one goal in mind: to help people like you find meaningful, practical ways to make a difference right where you live. Whether you’re handy, hospitable, generous, or completely new to this community, there’s something inside for you.
P.S. Are you a foster parent, agency worker, or advocate who has noticed a gap in support? If so, reach out to us via email (hello@riversideproject.org)—we’d love to learn more about how our team and community can step in to meet the real needs of foster families.
Don’t have time to try these ideas right now, but you still want to support our neighbors in need? Donate to help us transform the foster care system in Houston!
