E21: Pittsburgh's Safe Haven Support Community for Foster Children
What makes Kelly Hughes with Foster Love Project a good neighbor?
When foster parent Kelly Hughes noticed gaps in the support system for children in foster care, she decided to take action. Ten years later, her nonprofit Foster Love Project has become a vital resource for the Pittsburgh foster community, serving approximately 1,000 children annually through their shopping center and various programs. In a recent interview on the Good Neighbor Podcast, Hughes shared her journey from foster parent to nonprofit founder and the challenges and triumphs experienced along the way.
Hughes and her husband became foster parents in 2013 and have welcomed eight children into their home over the years. Through their personal experience, they identified significant gaps in the support system for foster children and their families. This realization prompted Hughes to take initial steps to provide goods and services to foster families. What began as a small effort quickly gained community support, enabling Foster Love Project to establish itself as a cornerstone resource for the foster care community in Pittsburgh over the past decade. The organization's primary mission involves providing tangible goods and creating a supportive community for children experiencing the trauma of family separation.
One of the most important aspects of Foster Love Project's mission is challenging the negative perceptions surrounding biological families whose children enter foster care. Hughes passionately advocates for viewing the situation holistically, recognizing that separation causes profound trauma for both parents and children. Rather than vilifying biological families, Hughes emphasizes the importance of providing support to keep families together whenever safely possible. This perspective shift represents a more compassionate and nuanced approach to addressing the complex challenges within the foster care system, acknowledging that most family separations stem from crisis situations rather than malicious intent.
The COVID-19 pandemic presented extraordinary challenges for Foster Love Project. Not only did they need to navigate pandemic restrictions while continuing to serve vulnerable children, but they simultaneously faced losing their facility when their landlord needed the space for other purposes. Hughes and her team pivoted quickly, implementing curbside appointments to continue providing essential items to children in need while searching for a new location. Through perseverance and community support, they not only survived these challenges but emerged stronger, securing a new facility three times the size of their previous location. This expansion has allowed them to serve more children and enhance their programs significantly.
Foster Love Project operates a free shopping center where foster children can select clothing, shoes, toiletries, books, bedding, and other essential items. This shopping experience provides more than just material goods—it offers dignity and choice to children who often have little control over their circumstances. Additionally, the organization runs a back-to-school program serving 250 children annually, providing backpacks, school supplies, new shoes, and sweatshirts to ensure students can begin the school year with confidence. Hughes emphasizes that they're currently seeking volunteers and donations for this upcoming program, with opportunities to purchase items directly from their Amazon wishlist or contribute financially to support their efforts. The community is invited to join Foster Love Project's mission by volunteering, donating, or simply spreading awareness about the needs of foster children in the Pittsburgh region.
To learn more about Foster Love Project go to:
https://www.fosterloveproject.org/
Foster Love Project
(412)819-5908
