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Our Purpose

Foster the Love’s mission is to encourage and support foster and adoptive families; to empower children, youth, and families impacted by trauma; and to educate the community about the needs of the foster system.
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Foster the Love builds community, alleviates financial burdens, and conveys to foster children that they are valued.

How we do it.

We are a 100% community-supported organization. This means we can’t do this work without your help. Our focus is on bridging gaps and assisting state workers to ensure that children and families involved in foster care in the Acadiana region receive the support they need. Our initiatives provide a boutique-style foster closet, supply essential items in First Night Bags, distribute beds for siblings entering foster care, and host foster family events throughout the year. Will you help support our efforts?

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illustration of kids playing tossing ball

Our History

2015

In August 2015, a sibling set entered foster care. The case worker arrived with only a small diaper bag containing items hastily packed by someone else, bringing a tiny baby girl and her energetic brother to newly certified foster parents. Upon opening this small bag, which held everything these siblings were permitted to take from their home, it revealed clothing that didn’t fit either child, a pacifier, and a bottle filled with spoiled formula. The placement of these children, along with this seemingly insignificant bag, sparked the inspiration for Foster the Love.

Sorting donations at the home of our founder.

2018

On June 30th, 2018, three years later, Foster the Love opened its “garage” doors and became a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to providing gently used clothing and essential items to foster children entering the system. These donations were collected and sorted, then distributed from the garage of our founder’s home.

Three volunteers in the first storage room that was lent to Foster the Love LA.

2019-2022

In the following four years, Foster the Love transitioned through several locations: from a storage unit to a small room generously offered by a church, and eventually to the upstairs rooms of another church — quickly outgrowing each.

2023 - Today

In 2023, we purchased our first building. Located in Broussard, every corner of this 4,000-square-foot facility, along with the two rental storage units, has gradually been filled with essential items and necessary office space, enabling us to deliver resources and support to the families who rely on our programs.

Parishes we serve map

Why it matters.

As of January 2026, the Lafayette region had 600 children in foster care, the highest number in Louisiana. 

Alarmingly, half of all newly certified foster homes close within the first 12 months. This situation underscores the necessity for us to work together and provide adequate support, foster a sense of community, and ensure easy access to resources, all of which can significantly ease the time, financial, and emotional challenges of welcoming children from hard places.

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