Fostering Hope began in Colorado Springs with a simple observation: foster families were often trying to navigate an incredibly demanding role without the kind of consistent support most families rely on.
Dr. Angela Colarelli Carron, a pediatrician working with children who had experienced abuse and neglect, saw both the effects of trauma and the conditions that helped children begin to heal. Over time, one thing became clear—stable, caring relationships played a critical role in that process.
At the same time, foster parents were quietly carrying a heavy load. Many wanted to continue, but isolation, time constraints, and the complexity of care made it difficult to sustain.
In response, Fostering Hope began building a simple, community-based approach: small teams of volunteers recruited from faith communities who would come alongside foster families in consistent, practical ways.
Instead of one person trying to help, teams of volunteers shared the responsibility—providing meals, helping with everyday needs, and building relationships over time.
As the model developed, families began to stay in fostering longer, and children experienced greater stability. What seemed like small, consistent acts of support added up in meaningful ways.
Over nearly two decades, the approach was refined in Colorado Springs through ongoing partnership with foster families, community organizations, and local leaders.
As these patterns became clearer, so did the broader need. Communities across the country face similar challenges—foster parent burnout, placement instability, and limited relational support.
Today, Fostering Hope USA exists to bring this model to new communities, working with local partners to build sustainable networks of support around foster families.
While the organization has grown, the core idea remains the same:
Foster families were never meant to do this alone.