I was happy to learn that there is a local organization working hard in our community to ensure that no foster children or families are forgotten about. Anne Walton, President of KCMO Angels attended a women’s conference in June of 2019 and watched an eye opening video with all the alarming statistics around foster children and families. At that moment, she felt called to quit her corporate job and start a chapter of National Angels in our community. Anne launched the local chapter of National Angels (KCMO Angels) in January 2020 and they became official “got their wings” in September 2020.

This woman led non-profit is backed by a strong, national organization so they have the support they need to make a difference in our local community.  The mission of KCMO Angels is to walk alongside children, youth and families in the foster care community by offering consistent support through intentional giving, relationship building and mentorship. President Anne Walton explains that they are a wrap around service for kids and foster families. Sadly, 50 percent of foster families shut down their licenses after one year because once they pass the licensing, the support all but stops. KCMO Angels is here to step in and provide the much needed support. The unique thing about KCMO Angels is that they provide support for both foster families and the children. Adding just one more healthy adult in their lives can have a positive lifetime result-just knowing that there is someone out there who cares means so much and can make a huge impact.

KCMO Angels provides intentional giving through their Love Box program. The Love Box Program matches foster families with a volunteer or group of volunteers. The volunteers build relationships with their family by spending quality time with the whole family: playing games, sharing a meal. Volunteers learn what their family may need and fill a box provided by KCMO Angels each month with those items for their foster families.  “It’s more than delivering a box of needed items, says President Anne Walton, it is delivering a relationship”. It allows caregivers to continue doing the meaningful work of being foster parents, by helping the parents to feel supported and children gain a greater sense of normalcy and self confidence.

They also have the Dare to Dream and Dare to Dream Jr. Program. This program is for youth ages 15-22 and the Dare to Dream Jr. program for ages 11-14. Dare to Dream provides one-on-one mentorship to youth in care. The volunteer mentors are advocates, guides, role models, friends and a valuable resource to guide these youth in their accomplishment of developmental milestones. KCMO Angels just had their very first Dare to Dream match and are so excited for the future of this program.

I could go on and on about this amazing organization and all they do in our community. KCMO Angels is a blessing to our area and the families they serve.  Please visit their website for more information, success stories and how you can get involved by donating, volunteering or attending a fundraising event. KCMO Angels

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