IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE

Our primary goal for 2023 is to equip and mobilize the community to meet the immediate needs of children, caregivers, and social workers impacted by the foster care system or those at risk of being impacted by the foster care system.

  • Children and teens often enter foster care with few or no belongings.

  • At times, children are spending the night at the DSS office on a cot. 

  • DSS caseworkers are overwhelmed with so many tasks when a child is taken into care. 

  • There is a high turnover rate among social workers.

  • The day a child enters care can create secondary trauma for kids/teens and social workers.

  • There are times foster care could be prevented, but due to the lack of resources, that does not happen.

The Problems

Foster Care Closet

The Foster Closet is where we collect items for our First Response Care Packages. When a child/teen first enters foster care, often they arrive with few items or simply the clothes on their back. In the midst of trying to make this child/teen feel safe, the task of getting basic necessities is pressing. The first week—specifically the first 24-48 hours—of a new foster placement is the most trying for foster children, social workers and the new caregivers. Mosaic Hope wants to ease the burden for everyone involved during this vulnerable time period. Within 24-48 hours of a new foster placement, Mosaic Hope will deliver practical necessities and comforting support.

What is in a first response package?

  • Clothing and pajamas for the child 

  • Socks and Underwear

  • Age-appropriate hygiene and toiletry items, such as toothbrush and toothpaste, hairbrush, shampoo, body wash, lotion, etc. 

  • Diapers, formula, wipes, bottles, and anything necessary for an infant 

  • A meal or a gift card for a meal 

  • A personal note of encouragement 

*Please check our Amazon Wish List for our most pressing needs. We also post needs on our social media accounts.

 FAQs

  • Yes! We ONLY accept new clothing and items, with tags on them. We believe that children and families we serve deserve the best. Please note that we have limited storage. We have a network of organizations serving families in our county that we will share items with, so please keep this in mind when you donate. We have a running list of needs on our Amazon Wish List. Donations can be dropped off at the Foster Care Closet on our Drop Off Days. Please follow us on social media or contact us for the Drop Off Day schedule.

  • Temporarily, our Foster Closet is located at the House of Dreams on the campus of 2nd Baptist Church:

    191 Green Street Rutherfordton, NC 28139

  • That would be incredible! If your church, business, school or organization would like to hold a collection drive, we ask that you please contact Emily Wood (emily@mosaichope.org/828-429-3202) for our biggest needs prior to launching your drive please.

  • Yes! The Foster Care Closet is completely volunteer run. We need volunteers to help us organize the Foster Closet on a periodic basis. We also need volunteers who can be "on call" to deliver First Response Packages. Click HERE or contact Emily Wood (emily@mosaichope.org/828-429-3202) if you are interested in volunteering.

Mosaic House

We have a dream of "a house" - a 2nd home that serves as a “connection center” for children, caregivers, and social workers. Foster care is a series of unknowns, not just for the children, but also for the new caregivers involved. We want to be a place where caregivers know they can come to get help as they navigate caring for a child impacted by foster care. 

We envision a comfortable, safe and home-like environment where…

  • social workers could bring a child during initial placement

  • kids can play, have a snack with the staff, and pick out the things they need

  • new caregivers can learn about the resources in Rutherford County

  • children and families can process the overwhelming feelings and emotions that come with foster care

  • we could host support groups, classes, and events for children and for caregivers

How Can You Help?

The Mosaic House is a BIG dream and we need the help of our community to make it happen. Currently, we have a contract on a property close to DSS. We have until December 9th, to raise $230,000. If you would like to donate to our house fund or if you would like to become a monthly donor, please use the QR code to donate, or text AHOUSE to 53-555.