Have you ever had a friend of coworker sharing glowing reviews of a restaurant, and you suddenly find yourself making reservations for the weekend? If so, this is an example of how powerful and effective word of mouth marketing can be. Words from a friend that you trust are more likely to motivate you to take action and try something that you otherwise wouldn’t. This theory is true when it comes to finding prospective foster parents.
Becoming a foster parent is certainly a big commitment, and those who have considered fostering or becoming respite care providers can become overwhelmed by the amount of information available in the media and online. Some of these potential foster parents may feel more prepared to move forward under the guidance or advice of a foster parent who has been through every step. This is where your voice can help.
For those foster parents or those who have fostered in the past and want to continue to make a difference in the foster community in Hampton Roads, your voice is one of the most powerful tools for recruiting new foster parents. If you have friends, family or acquaintances who have expressed their interest in becoming a foster parent, your experiences, stories and advice can inspire them to move forward with the process! Knowing that they have someone who they trust and know will be transparent about the realities of foster care to turn to can be a huge factor in making the decision to foster.
You can also introduce potential foster parents to the many resources available through Norfolk Friends of Foster Care and the Norfolk Department of Human services at our upcoming annual Foster Care Aware block party! This fun event is free and open to the public, and includes seminars on foster care and the opportunity to mingle with our foster care heroes.
We cannot express enough our appreciation for foster parents and all that you do. Together with the power of your voices, the foster parent community in Hampton Roads will continue to grow and provide safe, loving homes for foster children.
