This Foster Care Awareness Month, Foster Family Alliance of North Carolina (FFA-NC) is shining a light on the urgent need for foster families while launching “May Blessings,” a statewide initiative designed to support and celebrate the families already stepping up.
Across North Carolina, more than 10,000 children are in foster care, yet the state has lost more than 1,200 licensed foster homes since 2021. The result is a growing gap between children who need safe, stable placements and families available to care for them.
“Foster Care Awareness Month is both a moment of recognition and a call to action,” said Gaile Osborne, Executive Director of Foster Family Alliance of North Carolina. “We are asking our communities to step forward, not only to consider fostering, but to support the families who are already doing this important work.”
A reality many children face
Children often enter foster care during moments of crisis, sometimes with little time to gather their belongings or process what is happening. Many arrive in new homes without basic necessities, carrying more emotional weight than physical possessions.
As highlighted by child welfare organizations across the state, this is not uncommon. Children are frequently removed from their homes unexpectedly and may arrive with very few personal items, reinforcing a sense of instability during an already difficult transition.
Foster families step in immediately, providing essentials, stability, and care during one of the most vulnerable times in a child's life.
Meeting a growing need
The continued decline in foster homes has far-reaching consequences, including fewer placement options, increased strain on existing families, and greater instability for children.
FFA-NC works alongside foster, kinship, and adoptive families across the state, offering advocacy, connection, and support to ensure families feel equipped to navigate the foster care journey.
“Families are saying yes every day, but they need a community around them,” Osborne said. “That support can make all the difference in whether a family continues fostering.”
Introducing May Blessings
To turn awareness into action, FFA-NC is launching May Blessings, a month-long campaign dedicated to uplifting resource families across North Carolina.
Throughout May, FFA-NC will host in-person events, daily contests, giveaways, and other initiatives designed to celebrate foster, kinship, and adoptive parents and recognize their impact.
The initiative also creates accessible ways for the broader community to get involved.
Community members, businesses, churches, schools, and civic groups can participate by:
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Donating gift cards, coffee giveaways, or memberships
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Hosting a family-friendly event
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Shopping FFA-NC's Amazon registry: https://buff.ly/D68HhEr
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Making a financial contribution: https://buff.ly/EDTKskZ
“May Blessings is about showing up in real, tangible ways,” Osborne said. “It's a reminder to our families that they are seen, valued, and supported.”
A call to action
FFA-NC encourages North Carolinians to take part in Foster Care Awareness Month by exploring how they can support children and families, whether through fostering, giving, or simply spreading awareness.
“Every child deserves a safe, supportive place to land,” Osborne said. “And every foster family deserves to feel backed by their community.”
To learn more about Foster Family Alliance of North Carolina or get involved, visit https://www.ffa-nc.org/.
About Foster Family Alliance of North Carolina
Foster Family Alliance of North Carolina (FFA-NC) is a family-led, nonprofit organization founded by foster parents 50 years ago. FFA-NC provides peer support, advocacy, training, and resources to foster, kinship, and adoptive families statewide. By elevating caregiver voices and driving system change, FFA-NC works to ensure every child has the chance to thrive in a safe, loving home. Learn more at https://www.ffa-nc.org/.
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