Provide a Loving Home
& Change a Child's Life
Experience the deep fulfillment of becoming a foster parent through The Up Center. By offering a safe haven and unwavering support, you can make a tangible difference in the lives of vulnerable children, providing them with the opportunity to heal, grow, and thrive.
Start your journey today
Foster care is a vital program that provides temporary homes for children facing challenging circumstances. Our mission is to offer a safe and nurturing environment while working towards family reunification or finding a permanent home. When you become a foster parent, you provide a lifeline of hope and healing.
We offer round-the-clock care, supervision, and support to children who have experienced abuse, neglect, or abandonment. The time a child spends in foster care varies, but your impact is lasting.
Why The Up Center?
You're Never Alone
We equip you with compassionate, evidence-based parenting strategies, empowering you to create a nurturing and supportive environment.
Wrap-around Care
Families in our Foster Program receive specialized care within the foster home, school support, and connections with community and peer resources.
Earn Income
The Up Center provides support by helping you navigate relevant systems and access potential income streams for your dedication.
Myths about Foster Care
Single individuals can become foster parents.
Renters can also become foster parents, provided the home meets safety standards.
Working parents can foster with available childcare and support.
Training and support are provided, regardless of prior parenting experience.
“Through my anger and pain, she never gave up on me. I owe who I am today to my Up Center case manager. Without her support, I don’t believe I would have become the woman I am now.” – Former Foster Child
The journey of foster care is filled with challenges, but the rewards are immeasurable.
You can provide a child with the love, stability, and hope they deserve.
Donate
While we are unable to accept in-kind supplies due to storage limitations, your monetary donation helps us provide essentials for a child placed in a new home.
Begin Your Foster Care Journey Today
Meet The Team
director of youth services
Outreach Coordinator
Resource family supervisor
Raini is the Resource Family Supervisor for Foster Care and Adoptions. She has been part of the Foster Care team since 2011. She is passionate about empowering children and families whose lives have been impacted by trauma and helping them heal.
placement supervisor
Natasha is the Placement Supervisor of Foster Care and Adoptions. She has been with The Up Center since 2009. She is committed to serving children and families in the Hampton Roads community and promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion in programs for children and families.
resource home clinician
Holly is a Resource Home Clinician. She joined the Foster Care team in 2018 and has worked in child welfare since 2013. Holly is a Virginia Beach native and enjoys advocating for children in her community.
Therapeutic family clinician
Joseph has been with The Up Center since 2006. He started as an In-Home Clinician and now works in Foster Care as a Therapeutic Family Clinician. Joseph loves working with the children and families to assist in their growth and progression.
resource family coordinator
Victoria is the Resource Family Coordinator. She joined The Up Center in 2016 to help children and families in the community receive and connect with additional resources and support. Believing families are forever, she enthusiastically works with the team to ensure children have a dedicated family with whom to stay.
THERAPEUTIC FAMILY CLINICIAN
Paige is a Therapeutic Family Clinician. She joined the Foster Care & Adoptions team as a full-time employee in June 2024 after her internship. She enjoys being able to support and advocate for youth in foster care until they’re able to reach permanency.
