Partner Spotlight: Junior League of Worcester
Encompass: Community and Collaboration for Foster Families seeks to build a community of support around foster families in Central Massachusetts. One of the ways we engage communities in support of foster families is through partnering with local organizations and companies eager to make a difference.
Earlier this year, Encompass staff presented to members of the Junior League of Worcester (JLW), an organization of women dedicated to creating demonstrable community impact. After being introduced to the program, members of JLW decided to host a volunteer day, and on November 17th, nine members joined together to create “Family Fun” Care Boxes for families enrolled in Encompass. These generous volunteers planned, shopped, and assembled 18 Care Boxes specially curated for each foster family and tailored to the number of family members and age ranges of the children in their home. The Care Boxes contain all of the essentials for a night of family fun: board games, candy, popcorn, playing cards and other games, hot chocolate, coloring books, Play-Doh, and more. The boxes were distributed and brought joy and special moments to foster families this holiday season.
The Junior League of Worcester assembled these Care Boxes as part of their Mission in a Meeting programming, which assists non-profit agencies on a short-term basis through various volunteer opportunities and initiatives. Encompass’ mission to build upon the strengths of a community and equip foster parents with resources to support the needs of the children in their care is important to JLW members; “supporting foster children and families is a cause that is near and dear to our hearts and something we very much enjoy supporting,” says JLW President, Lauren Evens.
A huge thanks to the Junior League for giving our families the opportunity to enjoy some quality time together and create lasting memories.
Encompass: Community and Collaboration for Foster Families aims to utilize specially trained teams to coach foster parents in trauma-informed parenting techniques and to engage community volunteers to provide meaningful, tangible supports to foster families. Caring for children in foster care belongs to a community and should not be the responsibility of just one person or family.
Encompass is seeking community support volunteers to assist with an array of helpful opportunities such as once-a-month meal delivery, care packages, babysitting, and/or educational support for foster families in the Central Massachusetts area. Learn more about how to get involved at mspcc.org/encompass.