Fostering Hope has been evaluated by independent researchers to better understand a simple but important question:
The findings point to something both intuitive and often overlooked—when families are supported with consistent, caring relationships, they are more likely to keep going. And when they keep going, children experience the stability they need to heal.
Families consistently described feeling less isolated, more supported, and better able to sustain the demands of fostering.
Youth emphasized the importance of consistent relationships in helping them build trust, confidence, and a sense of belonging.
Parents reported having time and space to invest in their marriages, their well-being, and their children—reducing the strain that often leads to burnout.
Youth connected to Fostering Hope demonstrated encouraging indicators in education, housing stability, and reduced high-risk behaviors compared to broader populations.
Volunteers were not seen as providers, but as trusted, consistent people who became like extended family.
This evaluation used interviews, focus groups, and program data to understand the lived experience of families, youth, volunteers, and staff.
While it was not designed as a controlled outcome study, the consistency of findings across groups reinforces a clear conclusion:
Relational support plays a critical role in stabilizing foster families and supporting healing for children.
“The team and family become friends and extended family members. This is quite unique.”
“It was really life-giving, when things were super hard.”
“Consistency is very important… you can build that trust.”
The foster care system was not designed to provide long-term, relational support to families.
This evaluation highlights what happens when that gap is filled.
When foster parents are supported, they are more likely to continue.
When they continue, children experience fewer disruptions.
And when stability increases, the conditions for healing begin to take root.
Independent analysis has also shown that:
Every $1 invested in Fostering Hope returns approximately $2.79 in social value.
Taken together, these findings reinforce what we have seen over nearly two decades:
When communities come alongside foster families with consistency and care, it changes what is possible.
As Fostering Hope expands to new communities, we remain committed to strengthening our evaluation efforts—so that we can continue learning, improving, and ensuring that this model delivers meaningful, lasting impact.