[Norfolk, Virginia] – [May 1, 2025] – This May, The Up Center joins organizations nationwide in recognizing National Foster Care Awareness Month, a crucial time to raise awareness about the thousands of children and youth in our community and across the country who are in need of safe, loving, and temporary homes.
There are around 1,000 children in foster care in Hampton Roads, and the need for dedicated foster families is greater than ever. These children have often experienced trauma and separation, and they rely on the compassion and stability that foster parents provide. Foster care offers a lifeline, ensuring these vulnerable young people have a supportive environment where they can heal, grow, and thrive.
Since 1883, The Up Center, formerly Child & Family Services, has been committed to supporting children and families through hardship. Today, we are committed to partnering with children, families, and communities to improve lives and outcomes through prevention, intervention, and support services. Our Foster Care & Adoption program aims to provide a safe and nurturing environment for foster children, while working towards family reunification or finding a permanent home. Throughout May, we will be hosting virtual information sessions to answer questions and talk about the important role foster parents play. To view our schedule and register, visit www.theupcenter.org/events.
“It’s been the most challenging and most rewarding experience, amazing in the best and sometimes the very worst ways,” says the Cholewinski Family. “I can say with zero doubt that we have worked alongside the best of the best by being with The Up Center. You will never tell me differently.”
“Foster care is not just about providing a home; it’s about offering hope and a future to children who have faced significant challenges,” says Sharon Reams, Director of Youth Services. “Every child deserves a safe and nurturing environment, and foster parents play a vital role in making that a reality. This Foster Care Awareness Month, we urge our community to consider opening their hearts and homes to a child in need.”
The journey of foster care is filled with challenges, but the rewards are immeasurable. The Up Center provides comprehensive training, wrap-around support, and resources to help foster families succeed. We are looking for individuals and families from diverse backgrounds who are patient, understanding, and committed to making a positive difference in a child’s life.
How You Can Help:
- Become a Foster Parent: Learn more about the requirements and the process by visiting www.theupcenter.org/fostercare or calling 757-965-8638.
- Join an Information Session: View upcoming sessions at www.theupcenter.org/events
- Donate: Financial contributions help us provide essential resources and support services to children in foster care and their foster families. Donate online at www.theupcenter.org/fcdonate
- Spread Awareness: Help us amplify the message by sharing this press release and information about foster care on your social media platforms and within your networks.
Join The Up Center this May as we work together to ensure that every child in foster care has the opportunity to reach their full potential. The Up Center remains dedicated to providing unwavering support to foster children and families in Hampton Roads, building brighter futures one child at a time.
The Up Center provides critical support services for children and families in our community, including mental health counseling, parenting education and support, youth mentoring, foster care and adoption, housing and financial counseling, and services for people with disabilities. We have served as a safety net for people in crisis for over 140 years and have been a longstanding United Way partner organization. Today, we operate five locations throughout South Hampton Roads and impact over 10,000 people in our community every year by providing evidenced-based
services and programs that work. We are committed to partnering with children, families, and communities to improve lives and outcomes through prevention, intervention, and support services. Visit us online: www.theupcenter.org
