FosterAdopt Connect works with children, youth, and families as they navigate the complexities of the child welfare system. With the help of innovative tools, a dedicated professional staff, and over 20 years of experience working in the foster care systems, we’re equipped to connect children with families that provide love, healing, and stability for a brighter future.
Our mission is to provide foster and adoptive children a stable, loving and nurturing family environment by support and advocacy for abused and neglected children and the families caring for them.
For years, the Springfield community has identified child abuse and neglect and a lack of access to youth-focused services as major Red Flags in community focus reports. In particular, foster children and youth who have experienced trauma are identified as a specifically at-risk population in our community, and in need of additional resources.
In an effort to increase the Springfield community’s capacity to meet these needs, FosterAdopt Connect has partnered with several local agencies and developed an innovative resource center that will fill specific gaps in the regional welfare system, and reduce the barriers to success experienced by youth.
The YouthConnect Center was opened on October 17, 2022 and has now served over 100 unduplicated youth ages 13-18 who are unstably housed and either in foster care or at –risk of entering foster care, providing resources and mentors to improve lifetime outcomes.
The YouthConnect Center (YCC), located in the heart of downtown Springfield is a low-barrier drop-in center space for youth ages 13-18. The YCC offers hot meals, a food pantry, laundry, hygiene items, showers and clothing. Additionally, mental health clinical services, and guardian case management are offered.
Get Involved.
Our work is not possible without the effort of volunteers like you. There are opportunities of every shape and size to get involved. From sorting through donations at Sammy’s Window Clothing Boutique to providing a hot meal for youth at the YouthConnect Center, there are an abundance of opportunities to get plugged in.
Are you interested in being a champion for children and love a good event? FosterAdopt Connect’s Road to Home Gala and Pickleball Tournament committees make a difference for foster and adopted kids.
Committee members help with planning event logistics, requesting in-kind and sponsorship support, promotion and volunteering on event day. If takes a variety of skills and talents to make events a success and we would appreciate the perspective, you bring to the team.
Visit fosteradopt.org to learn more about donations and volunteerism or email us at Danielle.wise@fosteradopt.org
