2024: Hopeful, Humbled, and Grateful
To our volunteers, supporters, followers, and generous donors,
As I sit down to write this letter, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude. In September of 2022, I wrote this blog post and shared my hopes and dreams for what There’s Always Room would become. Two years later, I am watching those dreams come to life. Tears come to my eyes as I think about each child that we have served this year. They didn’t get to choose to come into foster care and be a part of a really complicated system. They didn’t choose their trauma and the impact it will have on them for the rest of their lives. But we can choose to be there for them - to share our happiness, privilege, and abundance with them. And wow - has our community done just that!
In 2024, we nearly doubled our numbers from 2023 and delivered 96 Yes Bags to children entering foster care in Ingham County. Our annual Easter basket fundraiser gave 51 Easter baskets to foster children, and our Pajama Project collected and donated 273 pairs of Christmas pajamas to children in foster care, spanning 6 agencies.
Our monthly support group was able to start offering childcare to foster and adoptive moms who attend. What started as a very small group of foster moms has now grown to 20+ women who can laugh and cry together as they navigate foster care and the many ups and downs that come with caring for children in need.
Earlier this month, our team of five met to plan and dream for 2025. We set the following goals:
Deliver 150 Yes Bags to children entering foster care in Ingham County.
Assemble 75 Easter baskets.
Collect and donate 325 Christmas pajamas.
Partner with 5 local churches to regularly serve children in foster care.
Host a summer outing for foster parents and their kids.
As we finish out the year, I wanted to share a few words from a local foster parent who reached out to us for help as they fostered this year:
“As an adoptive parent, I get calls if a biological sibling comes into care. In the last 2 years, I have added 3 babies to my home that are siblings to my adoptive son. When I get a placement there are expenses that come along with adding a new member to your family. There's Always Room has helped me with all 3 of my additions.
I have gotten deliveries to my home of clothing, cribs, car seats, a pack-and-play, and a bassinet. At one point I had 2 kids in daycare and I had to send enough bottles to last them the work day, and There's Always Room bought our new baby several new Dr. Browns bottles. I've also been contacted by them to get Easter Baskets and Christmas pajamas. Those are not necessities but they bring so much joy to the kids around the holiday time.
I feel so supported by this organization. They don't bat an eye when I call asking for another Yes Bag. They are there to support the first-time foster parent or someone who's had 20+ foster children. I feel like I can ask for anything from them, and they will do anything they can to meet the need.”
It doesn’t feel appropriate to say “the best is yet to come,” because foster care is never the best situation for a child. Instead, I remain hopeful that in the coming years, every single child entering foster care in the Lansing area will be able to experience the love they deserve, and I pray that we can play a part in giving them that love.
In 2025, we humbly ask you to help us grow by continuing to share our name with those around you. Our growth has a direct impact on children in foster care, and we truly couldn’t do this without community support! Follow us on Facebook, share our posts, donate if you are able, and tell everyone you meet to get involved in helping foster kids.
Like I say, there’s always room!
Love,
Moriah Bowman
Director