Did you know that more than 6,000 youth are currently experiencing foster care in West Virginia? These children and teens, along with their biological and foster families, are in urgent need of support—and religious communities of all denominations have the power to respond with love and care. See how churches can support youth in foster care and their families.

At KVC, we understand the power of community and connection. For children and teens in foster care, a caring community can mean the difference between feeling forgotten and feeling valued. Together, we can provide the stability, resources, and love these youth and families need to thrive.

If you, your church or your religious community feels called to make a meaningful impact, here are some practical ways to get started.

Why Should Churches and Religious Communities Care About Youth in Foster Care?

“Because of the typical experiences of a youth in care, including the lack of permanency, the lack of stability and lack of resources, a church community can provide that by being a consistent light and role in a child’s life,” says Tiffany Dixon, KVC West Virginia Service Coordinator.

Churches and faith communities have a unique opportunity to unite people in offering time, resources, and even financial support to children and families who need it most. When a church community comes together to support children and teens in foster care, their biological family or their foster family, they provide unconditional care. This can bring much-needed stability and hope during an incredibly challenging time.

How Churches Are Supporting Youth in Foster Care

If you’re not familiar with child welfare or foster care, it can feel overwhelming to understand the needs and how you can help. But the truth is, anyone can make a difference! That’s the spirit behind Chestnut Mountain Village, a ministry of Chestnut Mountain Ranch.

“Everyone can do something,” says Melissa Cargill, Community Coordinator for Chestnut Mountain Village. “It is amazing. The smallest things can make the biggest difference.”

Chestnut Mountain Ranch, a Christ-centered school and home for boys in Morgantown, WV, created Chestnut Mountain Village to expand their outreach. Their mission: to connect churches with children and families experiencing foster care by providing education, resources, and practical ways to get involved.

“We’re educating churches on the fact that there is a crisis, and we realize once they know they’re just compelled to care,” shares Cargill. “It’s the heart of the gospel — the heart of Jesus — to show his love in the world and especially to those that are the most vulnerable.”

Chestnut Mountain Village equips churches here in West Virginia with the tools and guidance to serve youth in foster care and support biological and foster families. Whether it’s starting a Family Advocacy Ministry, becoming foster parents, organizing a fundraiser, providing holiday gifts, or discovering other meaningful ways to help, your church can join this life-changing work.

Spreading the Word about Foster Parenting

There’s an urgent need for foster parents in West Virginia, especially to care for teens and sibling groups. Consider asking members of your faith community if they’ve ever felt called to provide a safe, loving, and temporary home for youth in foster care. Remind them that fostering is more than just an act of service — it’s a way to live their values of caring for their neighbors and the most vulnerable.

You can become a foster parent at any stage of life, no matter your relationship status, gender identity, income level, or where you live. What matters most is how much you care. KVC provides options that fit your life and unique circumstances, meeting you right where you are.

Fostering is a rewarding way to change a child’s life — and your own. And with KVC’s comprehensive training, 24/7 support, and dedicated team ready to answer questions and provide guidance every step of the way, no foster parent walks this journey alone. Learn more about becoming a foster parent at kvcwv.org/foster.

Supporting Child Welfare Professionals

KVC West Virginia’s Foster Care and Adoption Team

Child welfare professionals work tirelessly to ensure the safety and wellbeing of children and families, often navigating highly emotional and challenging situations. The demanding nature of this work can lead to secondary trauma and burnout, impacting not only the workers but also the children and families who rely on them.

Churches and faith communities can play a vital role in uplifting and supporting these dedicated professionals. Even small gestures of kindness can make a big difference:

• Deliver coffee and doughnuts to a local child welfare office
• Write appreciation letters and thank you notes to individual workers
• Support existing initiatives and programs already, like holiday gift campaigns or school supply drives
• Reach out to a local KVC office and ask if there is anything you can do to help them feel more supported

By showing appreciation for those on the front lines of child welfare, you not only honor their hard work but also help strengthen their ability to continue making a difference in the lives of children and families.

Hosting Community Training and Information Sessions

Open your church’s doors to host an information session on foster parenting, volunteering, advocating for children and teens in foster care, and other impactful ways to make a difference. KVC provides a ready-to-go presentation and a speaker to educate, answer questions and inspire action.

Many in your congregation or community may feel called to help but don’t know where to start. By organizing an event, you give them a meaningful opportunity to explore how they can live out their faith by supporting children, teens and families in need. These sessions not only educate but also bring people together, strengthening bonds and uniting your community in a shared mission of care and service.

Becoming a Mentor or Tutor for Youth in Foster Care

Many churches already have mentorship or youth outreach programs, and these can be expanded to serve youth in foster care. By partnering with organizations like KVC, your congregation can help connect mentors with children and families who need guidance, support and encouragement.

Additionally, tutoring youth in foster care is a great opportunity, especially for current or former teachers and school professionals, to provide academic support and help these young people succeed.

Starting a Family Advocacy Ministry or Care Community at Your Church

One of the most powerful ways a church community can make a difference is by starting a Family Advocacy Ministry. Chestnut Mountain Village partners with churches to help launch these ministries which are designed to support vulnerable children and families.

At the heart of this ministry are “care communities”—groups of four or five volunteers who commit to walking alongside foster parents for at least a year, offering practical support where it’s needed most.

“Nearly 50% of foster families quit within the first year,” says Cargill. “But with care communities, 90% continue fostering into a second year.”

The actual work of a care community varies depending on the volunteers as well as the needs of each family, but they often include actions like:

• Providing one meal a week
• Doing laundry
• Mowing the lawn
• Helping with transportation to ensure youth can attend important appointments, parent visits, etc.
• Tutoring children and teens
• Mentoring youth and families
• Providing respite care for foster parents

The principle behind care communities is simple: When prospective foster parents know they have a community of support, they are far more likely to say “yes” to fostering—and to keep going! In fact, Cargill shares that many volunteers in care communities go on to become foster parents themselves, inspired by the strong support they provide.

Care communities aren’t just for foster families. They can also help biological families at risk of foster care involvement or families who have recently been reunified, offering support to prevent children from entering foster care in the future.

Case Study: Churches Providing Community Care for Middle College Students

At KVC West Virginia, we’ve been deeply moved by the outpouring of support from local churches for one of our newer programs: Middle College at Fairmont State University, which supports older youth in foster care.

“Many different faith communities came together to support the students at Middle College before they were even on campus,” shares Dixon. “They were excited to get involved.”

Each student needed essentials like bedsheets, fans, curtain rods, personal care items, and other necessities for living on campus. Thanks to the generosity of religious communities from all backgrounds, every student started the school year equipped with everything they needed before their first day!

The compassion and enthusiasm from local churches didn’t stop there. Churches regularly drop off Sunday dinners, donate funds, offer mentorship, and plan activities for the students. One church even created personalized laundry baskets filled with goodies tailored to each student!

“That show of love and care from the community meant so much to the students we serve,” said Dixon. “They felt seen and loved.”

Middle College Care Community

Chestnut Mountain Village even helped one local church create a ministry specifically for Middle College students! With around a dozen background-checked volunteers, this ministry hosts monthly dinners and fun activities at their church. The Middle College team joins in too, making each gathering a meaningful time of bonding, support and community building.

Interested in Supporting Youth in Foster Care?

Whether you’re a local church considering starting a Family Advocacy Ministry or an individual wanting to help youth in foster care, there is always something you can do to help!

As Cargill put it, “Everyone can do a little something, and when we all pull together that’s when the impact really happens.” Learn more about becoming a foster parent or donate to support children and families in need.