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Expanding and Empowering
2024 TFFC Annual Report Overview
From the President
As I reflect on 2024, I am filled with immense pride and gratitude for the remarkable accomplishments we have achieved together this year. At Tidewater Friends of Foster Care (TFFC), our mission to improve the lives of children in foster care and provide them with the support and opportunities they deserve continues to drive our work, and this year has been no exception.
In 2024, TFFC made significant strides in addressing the needs of foster youth in our community, thanks to the unwavering support of our donors, volunteers, and community partners. Here are some of the key highlights from 2024:
Expanding Educational Support Programs
•. We provided over 460 youth with individualized tutoring services, helping them improve academic performance and build confidence in their abilities.
•. Through our scholarship and recognition program, we awarded over $48,000 to foster youth, empowering them to achieve their dreams and secure brighter futures.
•. We had a 100% graduation rate for our high school seniors!
Promoting Placement Stability
•. We expanded our foster family support initiatives by hosting training sessions and peer networking events for foster parents, ensuring they have the resources and knowledge to provide stable and nurturing homes.
•. Our Emergency Resource Fund provided immediate assistance to 60 families, addressing urgent needs such as clothing, transportation, and essential household items.
Empowering Youth Exiting Foster Care
•. We are thrilled to share that over 500 youth who exited foster care in 2024, received post-foster-care services from TFFC.
•. Recognizing the unique challenges faced by youth aging out of foster care, we expanded our Transitioning Youth Program to provide program support to youth who age out until they are 26 years old.
None of this would be possible without you—our dedicated supporters. Your generosity, whether through donations, volunteer hours, or advocacy, has made an incredible impact on the lives of foster youth in our community. On behalf of everyone at Tidewater Friends of Foster Care, thank you for believing in our mission and for standing with us every step of the way. Together, we can and will continue to make a difference in the lives of the children who need us most.
The State of Foster Care
Foster care in Virginia plays a critical role in providing temporary homes for children and youth who are unable to remain with their biological families due to safety concerns. As of the end of 2024, there were 5,400 children and youth in the Virginia foster care system. Here we provide an overview of the current state of foster care in Virginia, including statistics on children in care, reasons for entry, placement stability, and outcomes for children and youth.
Virginia’s foster care system is responsible for ensuring the safety and well-being of over 7,000 children each year, ranging in age from 0 to 21 years. These children come from diverse backgrounds and face unique challenges, including trauma from abuse, neglect, and other adverse experiences. The number of children in foster care has remained relatively consistent over recent years, underscoring the persistent need for resources and support for vulnerable populations.
The top three reasons children enter foster care in Virginia are neglect, parental substance abuse, and physical abuse, with inadequate housing as a very close fourth. Neglect, which involves the failure of caregivers to meet the basic needs of a child, remains the most common reason for foster care placement, with over 51% of CPS removals citing neglect. Parental substance abuse has also become a significant factor (reported in ~32% of removals), often resulting in unsafe living environments, especially for younger children. Physical abuse, while less common than neglect, continues to be a critical issue in over 14% of removals, requiring immediate intervention to ensure the safety of affected children. Inadequate housing is reported in just under 14% of Virginia’s removal of children from their parents.
OUR MISSION
To create opportunities and environments for foster youth and their families to thrive.
OUR VISION
To be the most innovative, valuable and inclusive partner in creating community-based support for youth and families in the foster care system.
Tutoring Updates
Tidewater Friends of Foster Care is dedicated to making a difference by providing one-on-one, in-home academic support to help these students succeed. We hire the very best instructors, who curate individualized educational support plans and work with students in their homes, so they can establish strong studying skills independent of the classroom environment. Our tutors are highly-qualified, professional educators, contracted competitively to guarantee that our students are getting the best educational services with accountability—our goal is to ensure that our tutors lend not only to academic progress, but also the overall stability of the lives of the children we serve.
The TFFC Tutoring Program has become a beacon of hope for children and young adults in foster care, offering a pathway to academic success and personal growth. Through one-on-one tutoring sessions tailored to each student’s needs, this program addresses the challenges faced by foster youth to ensure they thrive in their educational journeys.
How did our students do in the 2023-24 Academic Year?
Foster Care Aware
In May 2024, TFFC hosted our annual Foster Care Aware event in partnership with the Barry Robinson Center and Old Dominion University that brought together a diverse group of professionals, foster parents, and community members in a two-day celebration of learning, growth, and empowerment. Hosted in recognition of National Foster Care Month, the event focused on equipping attendees with tools and knowledge to better support children and families impacted by the foster care system. The event featured two renowned speakers, Dr. Cathleen Beachboard and Mr. John Murray, who delivered impactful training sessions centered around hope, resilience, and trauma-informed parenting.
The Foster Care Aware event was more than just a training—it was a celebration of the resilience and potential within the foster care community. By bringing together professionals, parents, and community advocates, the event highlighted the collective power of collaboration and education in making a meaningful difference. The knowledge and tools shared by Dr. Cathleen Beachboard and Mr. John Murray, as well as the many other speakers at the event, have undoubtedly planted seeds of hope and healing that will continue to grow and flourish in the lives of children and families for years to come.
Check out all of our available guides and read up on how you can help.
OUR GOALS
1. To ensure every child has a loving family placement capable of meeting their emotional, physical, and psychological needs—through targeted outreach and training initiatives for foster parents.
2. To eliminate placement disruption and systemic recidivism within the foster care system—through comprehensive, on-going support of youth and families across all realms of the child welfare system.
3. To improve long-term outcomes of youth involved in the foster care system—through steadfast and strategic investment in enrichment programs that bridge gaps between publicly available resources and those elements essential to a healthy, happy and rewarding childhood.
College Tours!
This year’s college tours were exciting indeed! In addition to our local Hampton Roads campus tours, TFFC, in partnership with the Joe Lee Hansley Foundation, sent 13 high school-aged foster youth on an inspiring college tour, visiting three prestigious universities: the University of Pennsylvania, Lincoln University, and Temple University. These tours provided our students with firsthand exposure to campus life, academic opportunities, and support resources available to them in higher education. Through guided tours, interactions with students and faculty, and engaging discussions about college readiness, these trips aimed to empower foster youth with the knowledge and confidence to pursue their educational goals.
Hooray for the YMCA!
Our partnership with the YMCA of South Hampton Roads, YMCA of Richmond, and YMCA of the Virginia Peninsulas has been nothing short of extraordinary. Since 2016, this collaboration has provided memberships to over 4,200 individuals, including foster youth, foster parents, biological parents and relatives and social workers, giving them access to a wealth of resources and opportunities to enhance their well-being. YMCA memberships play a crucial role in helping families reduce stress, bond together, and provide healthier lifestyles.
We also provided memberships to 248 social workers as part of our ongoing commitment to improve the foster care system. This support helps ensure that social workers have an outlet for the trauma they witness daily, giving them a much-needed space to decompress and focus on their own well-being. By providing access to the YMCA, we are not only enhancing the mental and physical health of foster families, but also supporting the emotional resilience of social workers. This holistic approach empowers them to continue their important work with a greater sense of balance and well-being, ultimately leading to a more positive and sustainable impact on the foster care system.
Gifting Projects
Holiday Project Results
Total Number of Wishlists in 2024
Total Foster Youths in 2024
Total Number of Wishlists Fufilled To-Date!
Developement & Investment
TFFC is dedicated to improving the lives of children in foster care through education and enrichment programming, outreach, and community engagement. Our on-going commitment is that for every dollar donated to TFFC, we invest at least 90% in programs that directly benefit foster youth, and we have steadily lived up to that promise! To date, TFFC has invested over $6.5M in programs for foster youth that nurture the long-term success of our youth and strengthen the overall foster care ecosystem.
Development
Investment
Looking Forward to 2025
As TFFC embarks on a transformative journey, the future holds a clear vision: to expand our reach in Central Virginia and deepen the services offered to foster youth across all regions we serve. With a commitment to the well-being of foster children and their families, the organization is charting a course toward broader impact, ensuring that every foster child has the support, care, and opportunities they deserve.
Expanding Presence in Central Virginia
In response to the increasing demand for foster care support in Central Virginia, TFFC is taking significant steps to extend its programs within this region. By building stronger relationships with local agencies, community partners, and foster families, TFFC is preparing to open new doors of hope for children in need in Central Virginia. With its strong community network and mounting foster care population, the Richmond area represents a strategic expansion of services aimed at making a large impact within the state. TFFC’s dedication to creating supportive environments for both children and foster families will be a cornerstone of this expansion.
Strengthening Services Across All Regions
At TFFC, we understand the importance of adaptability and innovation. In the coming year, we will introduce new and innovative programs designed to address the evolving needs of foster and at-risk youth. Whether it’s leveraging technology for educational support or creating mentorship and coaching models that resonate with today’s youth, our commitment to cutting-edge solutions remains unwavering.
TFFC plans to deepen services in several key areas:
1. Relational and Emotional Support
2. Educational Support and Career Pathways
3. Youth Advocacy and Leadership Programs
4. Deepening Support for Foster Families
