Making the decision to foster a child is one of the most effective ways to significantly impact a child’s life. The need for foster care is growing rapidly in West Virginia, and children desperately need a place where they can feel safe and loved. Continue reading to learn about the impact fostering can have on a child. 

Prevent Substance Abuse

Many children in the foster care system come from a family of substance abuse, largely due to the ongoing opioid crisis in West Virginia. Children that are exposed to substance abuse at a young age are significantly more likely to develop their own substance abuse problems in the future. 

This is one of the many ways you can impact a foster child’s life. Children need a safe and nurturing environment to develop appropriately and model what it looks like to lead a healthy life.

Provide Emotional Connection

Usually, children in the foster care system have experienced some form of abuse, neglect, emotional or physical challenges, or some other time of trauma. These children are in desperate need of emotional connection from a caregiver.

They want to feel safe, loved, and heard. When children don’t have a connection with a caregiver, their own emotional development is severely hindered. Fostering a child allows you to provide for one of their most essential needs.

Foster Parents Are Needed

With nearly 7,000 children in foster care in West Virginia, the state has the highest number of children in foster care per capita of any other state. West Virginia desperately needs more loving homes to step up and welcome a child into their life. The need for foster homes is growing continuously, and children deserve a place where they can feel loved and cared for. 

WOULD YOU LIKE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT FOSTER CARE? CONTACT BURLINGTON TODAY

Since 1913, Burlington United Methodist Family Services, Inc. has dedicated itself to changing lives by providing hope and healing to those who are hurting. We entered the foster care ministry in 1985, and since then, it has grown into one of our largest programs. Our foster care team works closely with families and clients to make foster care life enjoyable. If you have any questions about fostering, becoming a foster parent, or any of our other services, please contact us at 304-260-5884 or foundation@bumfs.org.