Covenant to Care for Foster Families
Providing resources and emotional support to foster families and the children in their care on Cape Cod and the Islands.
When local parishes and civic groups "adopt" a foster family, they offer support and “extras” for these vulnerable children to help stabilize their lives. We partner with the Cape’s Massachusetts Department of Children & Families District Office to enhance the lives of children in foster care on-Cape.
Nurturing Love
& Devotion
“We help foster children participate in activities that help create happy memories they carry throughout their lives.”
Parenting a foster child is a rewarding experience that can also present challenges. As a last recourse to protect children from abuse or neglect, foster children are removed from their own homes and families and can suddenly find themselves in an unfamiliar environment. Given the demands of creating a new – yet temporary – loving family, it is easy to understand why there are not enough foster homes on Cape Cod and the Islands to meet the demand. Frequently, children in foster care must be placed off-Cape, away from family, friends and school. Covenant to Care supports children placed in local care.
Contact
320 Main Street
Hyannis, MA 02601
(508) 775–5077
Natalia Albino Frois,
Program Director
Together with the Massachusetts Department of Children & Families (DCF), Covenant to Care matches local civic groups and congregations with a specific foster family in need of support. The foster family determines what type of support would be helpful, which could include providing a night out for pizza, funding for “extras” such as piano lessons that are not covered by DCF’s foster family allocation, or simply a phone call to lend emotional support.
Last year, Covenant to Care helped 7 local foster families and the 18 children in their care. We thank the 16 liaisons from our network of local churches and civic groups for bringing joy to these children’s lives!
“Fostering a Dream” Fund
Supported by Grants and Donations
Fulfilling Dreams for Foster Children
The Fostering a Dream Fund is administered through Covenant to Care for Foster Families. Grants made through this fund help fulfill dreams for foster children by providing financial assistance for music, art or dance lessons, athletic equipment and fees, class trips and summer camps. Without assistance from this special fund, foster children might otherwise be unable to participate in activities that help create happy memories they carry throughout their lives.
Last year, the Fostering a Dream Fund financially assisted 129 local foster children and teens by funding their dreams. Thanks to our local sponsors and funders.
Applications are welcome on behalf of any foster child in the Cape and Islands community. All applications will be reviewed on an as-needed basis. Applicants may apply more than once, but funding may not exceed $400 per child per calendar year. Payments will be made to the vendor.
Gifts made be made to the Covenant to Care Program or to the Fostering a Dream Fund.
I’m fostering a child. How can Covenant to Care help me?
As you may have already experienced, fostering a child presents both joys and difficulties. Here is a program that provides services that you choose, free of charge, with no demands on you.
Covenant to Care matches a Cape and Islands civic group or congregation with a local foster family, selected for us by the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF), Hyannis office. The individual civic group/congregation then offers support to their matched foster family and to the children in their care. This is a voluntary program for all involved.
Two or three liaisons from the civic group/congregation participate in a training session led by the Covenant to Care Program Director after a CORI/SORI check is conducted. A meeting is then arranged with the liaisons, the DCF Family Resource Worker, the foster family, and the Covenant to Care Program Director. This meeting helps us to get to know each other and discuss what types of support you may need for the foster children and other children in your household. Options may include homemade meals, movie tickets, family nights out for pizza, birthday and holiday gifts, and books, toys or games. The liaisons arrange to keep in touch with the foster family via phone, text, email and/or direct contact.
All goods and services are provided without regard for religious affiliation or the lack thereof. You will not be asked to join a congregation or to participate in any religious activities.
Program Sponsors:
Area Churches
MA Department of Children & Families
Rotary Club of Hyannis
Partners:
A Baby Center
Amazing Grace Camp
Cape Cod Ambassador
Cape Cod Children’s Place
Cape Cod Coalition
Cape Cod Foster Closet
Colorful Kidz
Kind Hearts for Kids
Mentor
MSPCC
