Our Mission
Foster House Project exists to reduce the trauma children experience when they first enter foster care. We are working to establish a safe, warm, and loving home environment where children can rest, eat, bathe, play, and receive clean clothes and basic necessities while a foster or kinship placement is arranged.
The Madison County Initiative
The Madison County Initiative is Foster House Project’s primary mission. It is the work of purchasing, renovating, furnishing, and preparing a home in Madison County for children during their first hours in care.
The home is intended to give children a calmer place to wait during a difficult transition and to support caseworkers as they arrange placement. It does not replace DHR, foster parents, kinship families, or the people responsible for a child’s long-term care.
Why this home is needed
When children enter foster care, a caseworker works urgently to find the right relative or foster family. That search can take time. During the wait, children may be in an office or another temporary setting and may need a meal, clean clothes, a bath or shower, a place to rest, toys, or other basic comforts.
FHP is working toward a home-like setting where those needs can be met while placement is arranged.
What we are working toward
The Initiative includes four practical parts:
- A suitable home — purchasing a property in Madison County that can become a safe, welcoming place for children and caseworkers.
- Renovation and furnishing — preparing the space with bedrooms, bathrooms, food, clothing, toys, comfort items, and practical supplies.
- Operating readiness — developing the resources, policies, training, and community support needed to care for children responsibly.
- Sustainable support — building a base of donors, volunteers, churches, businesses, and community partners who can help keep the home ready.
What we are doing now
While we work toward opening the home, FHP supports the Madison County Foster & Adoptive Parent Association’s care-bag effort for children entering foster care now. Read about our current work.
How you can help
Gifts to the capital campaign help move the home project forward. Volunteer time, in-kind donations, professional skills, and community introductions are also important as the work develops.