Called to Care supports newly placed foster children by delivering care packages
containing new personal items, ensuring that nothing secondhand is given. Each
package includes a Starbucks card for the mother and a pizza gift card for the family,
offering a comforting meal during the initial chaotic days. Additionally, Called to Care
facilitates a monthly support group for foster mothers, allowing them to connect with
peers facing similar challenges. Childcare is provided during these gatherings for added
convenience.

In August 2023, Called to Care expanded its services by opening a therapy room staffed
by two clinicians who have conducted over 1,000 therapy sessions for youth and
families impacted by foster care and adoption. This initiative addresses a significant gap
in available support services, with both therapists bringing 34 years of combined
experience as foster and adoptive parents, enhancing their ability to connect with and
serve these families effectively.

Currently, Called to Care is addressing a critical need through a new project prompted
by a state-wide crisis: an increasing number of children entering the system without
sufficient homes available. This shortage has resulted in children being temporarily
housed in unsuitable locations such as agency offices, police stations, and even
hospitals without medical necessity. Records indicate that 343 foster children, some as
young as seven, were housed in psychiatric hospitals after being medically cleared for
release. This situation is untenable.

To combat this, Called to Care has acquired a property in Yorkville to establish an
emergency home for children removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect. This
facility will operate as a safe haven, staffed around the clock, while caseworkers
determine the most suitable next steps for these children. Renovations are underway,
and Called to Care is working tirelessly to expedite the readiness of this home, given the
immediate and pressing need for such a resource