World Foster Day

All around the globe, millions of children need care that comes from somewhere outside of their family of origin. Whether these vulnerable children are placed in foster for a short time or they have a longer experience, the need for support from their communities is clear!

World Foster Day encourages people to learn more about and get involved with understanding and meeting the needs of children whose families are unable to provide them with the care they need.

History of World Foster Day

World Foster Day was first started in 2018 when it was launched to raise awareness, educate, and gather communities around the important issues of caring for children who need it.

Since then, this event has grown around the globe, increasing knowledge and connection so that communities can surround their children with love and support!

How to Celebrate World Foster Day

Check out a few of these ideas, or get creative with other ways of celebrating World Foster Day:

Share a Smiley on Three Fingers

A unique way to get attention for this event is a fun little practice that almost anyone can participate in. A universal sign that has become associated with World Foster Day is a person holding up three fingers with smiley faces drawn on each of them.

So it’s time to grab a pen, draw some smileys, snap a photo, and then share it on social media with the day’s hashtag to increase awareness about the importance of supporting foster care.

Listen to World Foster Day Stories

Another simple way to get more connected with World Foster Day might be to head over to the day’s website (or search it on YouTube) and watch some videos where people tell their stories and share their experiences about being a part of foster care.

Show Care to a Foster Child or Family

People in local communities can get involved in World Foster Day on a variety of levels. Of course, not everyone can become foster families themselves, but that doesn’t exclude them from being involved!

Contact a local foster care organization to find out more about how to meet needs, from providing tangible goods when kids need them to get trained for respite care.

Foster care comes with all sorts of complexities and showing a foster care family some support is a great way to help carry their burden together.

Build Sustainable Change for World Foster Day

World Foster Day is the right time to shine a light on the ways that communities can gather together to meet the needs of the children in their area.

This might include a business, church, child protection organization, or a media company that is interested in helping to spread information and create change for the better on behalf of the foster children who need care.

Other events celebrated by Days of the Year about this one include World Care Day on February 16, Foster Care Fortnight in mid-May, and National Foster Care Month all throughout May.