More Than a Basket

When a new family starts services with Foster Light, we show up with what we call a “welcome basket.” It’s filled with thoughtful things—kid snacks, coffee, a journal, maybe a cozy blanket or a candle—and yeah, it might look a little like a spa day starter kit. But let’s be clear: we’re not pampering foster parents (though let’s be honest, they absolutely deserve a spa day and a glass of wine). What we’re really doing is sending a message: You are not alone in this. Because parenting kids from hard places is hard. It’s sacred, it’s exhausting, and it’s too often done in isolation.

This basket isn’t about comfort for comfort’s sake—it’s about preservation. When foster parents are running on fumes, when trauma behaviors are high and resources are low, it’s easy to burn out. In fact, 50% of foster parents quit within the first year because of burn out. And when caregivers burn out, kids lose another placement… then they move… again. That’s why we’re investing in the adults in the home. Because preserving foster parents—emotionally, mentally, practically—isn’t just good for them. It’s essential for the kids in their care. If we want foster youth to have better outcomes, healthier relationships, and more stable futures, we have to stabilize the people raising them.

So yes, we deliver snacks and lavender spray. But what we’re really delivering is SUSTAINABILITY. A chance to breathe. A reminder that they’re seen and supported. Because the goal isn’t pampering—it’s preservation. And preservation moves the needle. It keeps homes open, hearts soft, and kids grounded long enough to truly heal. That’s what this work is about. That’s what the basket means.