Here is a quick overview of our application process
1.Volunteer Application
2. Background Check
3. Volunteer Training
4. Welcome to the Team!
Event Team
Throughout the year, we host special events for our families such as our 5K & Kids Fun Run, Fall Fest, and Christmas Party - These events would not be possible without our amazing group of volunteers! Our Event Volunteers are contacted when we have an event coming up to see if they are available to help out!
Delivery Team
Within 24 hours of a child entering foster care, Foster the Family delivers a Care Package containing brand-new, essential items to the doorstep of the foster home. Our delivery volunteers are “on call” one day a month. If we receive a supply request on their scheduled day, they will go to our office in Cascade, assemble the care package, and deliver it to the foster home in the greater Kent County Area!
Childcare Team
Our Respite Events take place on the second Saturday of the month and our Support Group Childcare events take place on the third Saturday of the month at Thornapple Covenant Church, 6595 Cascade Rd SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546. These events include crafts, snacks, games, and more! The role of a Childcare Volunteer is to help oversee the kids, participate in the activities, and of course, have tons of fun!
Trauma Training
This section is designed to assist you in better understanding the experiences of the children we serve, in order to provide the best care during our Childcare Events!
Meal Team
Each Care Package that we deliver to families welcoming kids entering foster care includes a meal for the foster family. This allows the family to focus on welcoming the child into their home without the stress of needing to prepare a meal. Our Meal Team Volunteers help prepare these meals and desserts that are given to foster families in our community!
Sign up for to help us with meals for families we serve. Meal Sign Up
Background Clearance
All employees/volunteers of Foster the Family GR are subject to background clearances as required and/or determined. Volunteers for all positions, are required to undergo a background/criminal records check prior to beginning service. Current foster parents are not required to be background checked, as the status of a licensed Foster Parent verifies safety. However, we will need to verify your license, please provide proof below. Foster the Family GR covers the cost of all background record checks for volunteers.
If you have chosen background check, please take a moment to fill out the background check below before continueing with this application. If it is not done at the time of the volunteer application, your application may be put on hold until your background check is sumitted. Thank you for your attention to this!
Background Check