Host an Awareness Event: Toolkit

Children in your community are in need of strong, loving families to foster them. Foster families need support. Let families in your parish know about the need, and get them involved! The following toolkit gives you the resources you need to get started. To get step-by-step planning instructions, see our Awareness Event Checklist.

Sample Timeline for Your Awareness Event

Before the Event

• Volunteer Setup: Have volunteers arrive early to set up chairs, tables, refreshments, and any audiovisual equipment.

Tip: Test your video and sound system before guests arrive to ensure everything runs smoothly.

Event Program

We have recently developed a slideshow presentation for these events, so please reach out to chapters@springsoflove.org to receive access to the presentation. Slides can be edited through Canva to fit your program!

1. Welcome and Opening Prayer
– The emcee greets guests and introduces the purpose of the event.
– Invite your pastor, deacon, or parish leader to open with a brief prayer, asking the Holy Spirit to guide the evening and inspire hearts.

2. Opening Video
– Play a short Springs of Love video, such as the Foster Care Awareness video, to set the tone and introduce the mission.

3. Local Foster Care Overview
– Present information about foster care in your county or state, including current needs, the number of children in care, and how local families can get involved.
– A representative from a licensed foster agency can explain what it means to become a foster parent, the process, and the ways people can support foster families even if they cannot foster themselves.

4. Personal Testimony
– Personal witness is powerful! Hearing real experiences helps parishioners understand the need for community support.
– Invite a foster parent or an adult who experienced foster care to share their story.

5. Call to Action and Parish Involvement
– Invite attendees to visit a sign-up or registration table to:

• Learn more about your Springs of Love chapter
• Sign up for your email list, whether to learn more, join your ministry, or be served as a foster or adoptive family
• Talk with a foster care agency representative about possibly becoming a foster family

– Share opportunities for involvement: prayer partners, meal support, donation drives, mentorship, or foster parent discernment.

6. Closing & The Invitation (The “Ask”)
– Close with an intentional invitation for attendees to discern the next step, whether that’s becoming a foster parent, supporting a family, joining your Chapter, or praying for children in care.
– Encourage everyone to visit the Springs of Love website (www.springsoflove.org) for additional resources.
– End with a prayer, asking the Holy Spirit to move hearts toward compassion and action.

Foster Care Awareness Video

Sample Bulletin Announcement

Download the graphics above to use with bulletin announcements or parish-wide emails about your Foster Care Awareness Event.

Create a poster or flyer for your event. Start with our Canva template or create your own! Hang the flyer around your parish and neighboring parishes, share it through email, and even include it in your parish bulletin.

Any time you speak at Mass, hold an event, or represent your ministry at your parish, make sure to have a sign up sheet ready to collect emails from interested parishioners! Anyone who might be willing to provide a few items to a foster family with a new placement should be added to your general email list. Download our sign-up sheet or create your own from our Canva template.

See our checklist for step-by-step directions on setting up your awareness event.