Friends of Foster Kids Rocket Community Challenge.

💙 The history of Friends of Foster Kids

On New Year's Day in 2006, Theresa Toia was sitting around the kitchen table with her family when her daughter—then a caseworker with the Department of Health and Human Services—shared heartbreaking news.

For the second year in a row, not one foster child on her caseload had received a Christmas gift.

That single conversation changed everything.

Theresa made a promise that no child in foster care should ever feel forgotten during the holidays. From that promise, Friends of Foster Kids was born.

That first Christmas, with the help of family and friends, Theresa brought holiday joy to 47 foster children. What started in her living room soon outgrew the space, moved into donated locations, and eventually found a permanent home on Celeste Drive in Shelby Township.

Today, Friends of Foster Kids serves foster youth throughout Wayne, Oakland, Macomb,  Counties, providing hope, comfort, and support to thousands of children and teens each year.

While Christmas remains at the heart of our mission, our work never stops.

✨ We respond to emergency requests—often within 24 hours—with clothing, shoes, coats, pajamas, hygiene items, and other essentials for children entering foster care.

🎓 Our Hats Off to Grads program helps graduating seniors begin their next chapter with household and dorm essentials, and continuing support if they need it. .

👗 Our Prom and Homecoming programs ensure foster teens can celebrate these milestones with confidence and dignity. We also have a Tuxedo program for the boys too. 

🌟 Our growing Futures Start Here mentoring and support program helps young adults aging out of foster care build brighter futures through guidance, encouragement, and opportunities.

What began as one woman's promise has grown into a community of compassionate volunteers, donors, sponsors, and supporters who believe every child deserves to know they matter.

If You want to follow the activities of Friends of foster kids their facebook and instagram are regularly updated.  💙

Welcome to the Friends of Foster Kids family.