About
Children need more than a system; they need a village.
Foster parents often feel tired and alone. Most families foster for less than a year, citing burnout and lack of support as the reason they stop. At the same time, 85 percent of people who are not foster parents say they care about vulnerable children and want to help.
Foster Village bridges this gap between foster families and caregivers and those who want to help, meeting practical needs and providing holistic support beyond the system.
We help do this through three main programs:
Equipping Caregivers With Support
When a child is placed with a family, they often arrive with just the clothes on their back. Through Foster Village resources, families and children can get clothing, toiletries and other basic necessities. We have events to provide short breaks for caregivers, provide meals, and connect fostering families with resources to meet other needs.
Connecting Families to Each Other
Foster families are often navigating a complex system and challenges that are unique to caring for children who have experienced abuse, neglect, and family separation. They need to know they are not alone and need encouragement from others on the same journey they are on. By connecting foster families with other foster families, biological families, and trusted resources, families are strengthened and empowered to continue fostering.
Advocating for Change in the System
Foster Village brings dignity to the children and families we serve, understanding the root causes that lead to a child's placement in the foster care system, facilitating relationships between foster families and biological families, and replicating communities of support around the nation.
As we care for the caregivers, foster families are sustained and generations of vulnerable children and families are empowered to overcome adversity.
“Foster Village has provided so many thoughtful gestures since we've been a foster family and I've been attending the Moms Support Group. We appreciate Foster Village so much, but one thing stands out...Welcome Packs. When we brought out sweet girl home from the NICU, we were gien diapers, outfits, formula, a meal for the family, and so much more. During a whirlwind time where everyone is adjusting, this act just made our day. Thank you, Foster Village!" - Emily, foster parent
Our Story
Foster Village Northeast Kansas was founded in 2022 by three friends, Lori Lee, Meredith Marshall, and Jenny Lichte, who shared a deep desire to walk alongside children and caregivers navigating the complexities of the foster care system. Each came to this work from a different place, but they were united by a common calling to make sure families in Northeast Kansas have a village of support behind them.
What originally started as Foster Village Lawrence quickly grew beyond city lines. In 2023, we became Foster Village Northeast KS, an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving families in Douglas, Franklin, Jefferson, Leavenworth, Osage, Jackson, and Shawnee counties.
At the heart of our organization is a simple but powerful idea that when we listen to the real needs of caregivers, then we build programs that make a meaningful difference. From the very beginning, our growth has been guided by the experiences of those we serve.
Today, we’ve walked alongside hundreds of families across Northeast Kansas, offering wraparound services and support. We deliver Welcome Packs filled with essentials when a child first enters a new placement. We host Caregiver Nights Out to give families a much-needed break. We run support groups, host community-building events, and educate the public about the realities of foster care.
We’re proud to be an affiliate of the national Foster Village movement, launched in Austin, Texas by foster parent Chrystal Smith. Like the original Foster Village, we believe that while the child welfare system is deeply complex and often broken, communities have the power to rise and meet the needs of their own.