Neighbors with a Shared Mission: CASA and Foster Village Join Forces for Kids and Caregivers

Our vision at Douglas County CASA extends beyond the children and community we serve. On a broader scale, we seek to make a difference by driving change in the child welfare system. Because it takes more than one person or voice to change a system, we’re thrilled to count Foster Village Northeast KS as a partner (and neighbor!). 

In 2024, we welcomed Foster Village as the first tenant in our North Lawrence building. It’s a realization of our vision at Douglas County CASA to house partners in the child welfare system and nurture collaboration with other organizations supporting children and families. Foster Village fits that bill as a nonprofit bridging gaps in the foster care system by equipping caregivers with support, connecting foster families, and advocating for systemic change.

When we were connected with Foster Village, it aligned with what our board had in mind, and seemed like a perfect fit for their organization as well. They needed an office and physical storage space for all the resources they have available, and we had an abundance to share. We are looking to ensure every foster child’s needs are met; Foster Village is active in making sure each foster placement has the supplies and resources necessary to do that. We are both working toward getting in front of decision-makers and community leaders to make sure they understand the various issues across the board in child welfare. 

Douglas County CASA also wants to spread the word about the great work Foster Village is doing for children in northeast Kansas. In May, National Foster Care Month, I caught up with Lori Lee, Foster Village’s co-founder and Director of Family Equipping and Engagement, to learn more about the organization’s current work and goals for the future.

Please share a bit about Foster Village — its mission, services, and role in the child and family services ecosystem. What role does Foster Village help fill for foster families and children? 

Lori Lee: We believe that when a child enters foster care, the whole community has a role to play. Children who have been displaced from their homes need safety, stability, and connection — and so do the families who step up to care for them. The system wasn’t built to provide that kind of holistic, ongoing support, which is why so many caregivers feel isolated and overwhelmed. In fact, an astonishing 50% to 60% of foster families stop fostering after their first placement, often due to burnout or lack of support. Considering how much work goes into licensing, that’s no small thing!

That’s where Foster Village Northeast KS comes in. We exist to stand in the gap between what the system provides and what families actually need to keep going. Since launching in 2022, we’ve walked alongside hundreds of families across Northeast Kansas, offering wraparound support.

We deliver Welcome Packs filled with essentials when a child first enters a new placement. We host Caregiver Nights Out to give families a much-needed break. We run support groups, host community-building events, and educate the public about the realities of foster care. And we continue to grow based on what caregivers tell us they need.

We recently held a 2024 Caregiver Survey, which showed us that when families feel seen and supported, they’re more likely to stay in this work. That’s our “why.” We’re here to build a village of support.

How does having a physical space help Foster Village fulfill its efforts to support foster families? Why is sharing a space with CASA in North Lawrence meaningful to Foster Village?

LL: We’re so grateful to share office space with Douglas County CASA in North Lawrence. Having a physical location has been transformative. It gives our team a place to gather, dream, and organize around all the ways we serve families. More than that, CASA has provided us with generous warehouse space for our Resource Closet, which houses all the essentials we include in Welcome Packs: clothing, toiletries, comfort items, books, car seats, you name it.

Just recently, we expanded our footprint to Topeka, opening a second Resource Center at the CASA offices there. This is a big step for us. It allows us to better serve families in Shawnee County without having to shuttle supplies back and forth, and it ensures that local donations stay local.

A bonus for us is that sharing space with CASA is both logistically helpful and mission-aligned. CASA volunteers and Foster Village both exist to make sure kids and families in the system feel valued, supported and advocated for. Being under the same roof is a meaningful way to model that kind of collaboration.

What is the relationship between Foster Village and CASA? How do Foster Village’s services complement CASA’s work and create a more resilient ecosystem for children and caregivers? 

LL: We see CASA as part of our extended village. Their advocacy is essential in ensuring children’s voices are heard in court, and we’re honored to support that work by meeting everyday needs at home. We often serve the same families — CASA might be in the courtroom advocating for them while we’re on the ground delivering a Welcome Pack or hosting a Caregiver Night Out. Together, we form a fuller circle of support. 

What is your vision for Foster Village 10 years in the future? 

LL: When we think about the future, we’re thinking about sustainability, accessibility, and deeper impact. This year, we’re building out more support in Topeka and piloting new programs based on what caregivers told us in the survey. That includes things like access to sensory tools, caregiver education, and scholarships for kids’ activities.

In five years, we hope to establish a dedicated and home-like hub where families can gather, volunteers can help out, and create more ways for community members to get involved.

In 10 years, who knows?! We envision a Kansas where every caregiver — foster, kinship, adoptive, reunifying — has access to the kind of support that makes staying in this journey not only possible, but joyful.

In what ways can community members support Foster Village? 

LL: There are so many ways to get involved! You can volunteer with us by delivering Welcome Packs, helping at events, organizing our Resource Closet, or providing childcare during a Caregiver Night Out. You can hold a donation drive, shop our Amazon Wishlist, or become a monthly donor. You can follow us on social media and help spread awareness about the realities of foster care. Explore our website to learn more.

Right now, we’re gearing up for “Growing the Village is Sweet,” our annual lemonade stand fundraiser in July. Families, businesses, churches, and organizations can host a stand, sell lemon-themed products, or sponsor the campaign. Every dollar raised goes directly to supporting local foster families in Northeast Kansas. It’s a fun way to make a difference.

And if you’ve ever thought, “I’m not a foster parent, but I want to help,” we’re here to say: You can. Small actions add up. That’s what building a village looks like.

Is there anything else you’d like to highlight about Foster Village and CASA? 

LL: We’re just really grateful to CASA for being such a supportive and mission-aligned partner. Our work complements each other so well. Together, we’re helping build a more connected and resilient foster care system in Northeast Kansas.

We’re also grateful to the families we serve, who continue to show up with courage and love even when things are hard. Our recent caregiver survey showed that 71% of caregivers in our network said they’re likely to continue fostering in the future, with many of them naming community support like Foster Village as the reason why. We’re so honored with this responsibility and inspired to keep going. 

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As evident from my conversation with Lori, our organizations have much in common. We’re both looking to grow to serve more children and families in Douglas County, Kansas, and it’s exciting to hear each other’s wins along the way. We also share the goal of making sure every child is supported and has their needs met, along with their placements and families. We’re grateful to see Foster Village’s success in supporting those who support the children we serve!