FREE RESOURCE: 31 CREATIVE WAYS TO SUPPORT FOSTER & ADOPTIVE FAMILIES

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Our Mission

We're bringing together organizations and passionate people working as one to help families heal and children thrive.

Our Mission

We're bringing together organizations and passionate people working as one to help families heal and children thrive.

We have a vision to see Houston become a place where foster care is not just a crisis to manage but a system transformed - where communities work together to strengthen families and create lasting change.

  • We're working together to support Houston's families.

    Where a child in foster care needs emotional support, an organization has trained counselors. Where a neighborhood needs strong role models, there’s a church who connects mentors with youth. Where a family has an open home, there’s a child who needs that family.

    Together, we can disrupt the cycles that lead to foster care placements in the first place.

  • We should not all do the same thing. But we can all do something.

    By uniting everyone's efforts, we can create a city-wide support system that transforms generations.

      • Our values

        Our work is guided by our values.

      • Sustainable Change

        We prioritize long-term, sustainable solutions to complex problems.

      • Integrative Collaboration

        We build bridges and foster interdisciplinary alignment across sectors.

      • Contextual Intervention

        We utilize data to develop pertinent, neighborhood-specific solutions.

      • Relational Excellence

        We earn the trust of our community and colleagues every day.

      • Christ-like Compassion

        We follow in the footsteps of Jesus, who joyfully shared in the suffering of others.

    Our Journey

    2018

    Our first initiative, the Babysitting Collaborative, launched as a streamlined training process for foster care babysitters.

    2018

    Since then, nearly 1000 babysitters have been equipped to provide quality, trauma-informed support for families parenting children in the foster care system.

    2020

    In August 2020, we launched our Church Mobilization initiative to mobilize churches to address the various social issues facing our neighborhoods.

    2021

    The Harris County TBRI® Collaborative launched in Fall 2021 to provide simple, accessible trauma-informed training for everyone.

    2022

    In 2022, we introduced The Response Network to connect families in need with community organizations who can help.

    2024

    Our documentary, As One, released in May 2024. We were honored to receive a Lone Star Emmy alongside Nathan Cadis Media.

    2025

    Today, we are an organization bringing together organizations and passionate people working as one to help families heal and children thrive.

    2030

    By 2030, we aim to have a central team supporting regional staff to help new communities address challenges faced by vulnerable children and families across Greater Houston.

  • Every story of hope is made possible by a community working together.

    Reach out to us today to see how you can join a community of people dedicated to making Houston a place where every child and family can thrive.

    FIND YOUR PLACEDONATE
    For Individuals & Families

    1. What should I do if I’m interested in fostering?

    Reach out to a licensed foster care agency in your area to learn about the requirements, training, and support available. We can also help connect you to resources!

    2. What is kinship care?

    Kinship care is when a child is placed with a relative or close family friend instead of a traditional foster home.

    3. Do I have to be a foster parent to help?

    Not at all! You can mentor, babysit, donate, or get involved through your church or workplace.

    4. What is foster care?

    Foster care provides temporary homes for children who cannot safely remain with their biological families due to neglect, abuse, or other circumstances.

    For Churches & Businesses

    1. Can businesses get involved?

    Absolutely! Businesses can sponsor programs, donate services, or provide volunteer opportunities for employees.

    2. How can churches help foster families?

    Churches can provide emotional and practical support by creating wraparound care teams, hosting foster parent nights, or mobilizing volunteers for babysitting and mentorship.

    About The Riverside Project

    1. What training does TRP provide for foster parents or volunteers?

    We offer trauma-informed care training through the Harris County TBRI® Collaborative and babysitter certification for those supporting foster families.

    2. Does TRP offer direct services to foster children?

    We don’t provide direct case management but work with agencies that do.

    3. Where does TRP operate?

    We serve the Greater Houston area, but are open to meaningful collaboration with anyone in the broader foster care community.

    4. What is “The River” metaphor?

    We describe the foster care system as a fast-moving river. Some children are at risk of falling in due to family instability, while others are already struggling to stay “afloat” within the foster care system. Our goal is to help children and families find “dry ground.”

    5. Who can get involved with TRP?

    Anyone! Whether you’re a church, business, nonprofit, educator, foster parent, or simply passionate about helping, we’ll help you find your place.

    6. Is TRP a foster care agency?

    No, we don’t place children in foster care. Instead, we work alongside agencies, nonprofits, and churches to strengthen the support system around foster families.

    7. What is The Riverside Project?

    We are a nonprofit organization working to bring together organizations and passionate people working as one to help families heal and children thrive.

      Connect with us to find your place along The River.

      We're looking forward to hearing from you!

      Send us a message and we’ll reach out to you within 3 days.