Holiday Stocking Program

In 2009, Communities 4 Children launched its Holiday Stocking Program. In its first year, the program provided Christmas stockings for 100 children in Georgia’s foster care system. The Holiday Stocking Campaign continues to be a success each year.  As our community of supporters grows, we  strive to ensure we are truly making the holidays special for children in foster care. 

We work hard to stay flexible and adaptable to ensure that we offered support where truly needed. In 2021, Communities 4 Children provided stockings for 146 children, 127 of whom were over the age of 12. In 2022, after speaking with our partners at the Division of Family & Children Services (DFCS), C4C learned that the out-of-home congregate care provider community has given wonderfully positive feedback on the holiday support we have provided over the past few years.

Many of the providers are small and have fewer resources during the holidays to provide gifts for all the children in their programs. Additionally, our support targeted a population of youth in foster care with specific, high-level needs that require specialized support and care. So, while the campaign remains the same in name, C4C constantly shifts and adapts the populations served to make sure the impact is as significant as possible. The 2022 Holiday Stocking Campaign delivered joy and a little extra holiday cheer to 202 teens placed at 19 of these smaller care providers across Georgia. Donations from the C4C community went directly to the purchase of gifts and items to make the stockings special and meaningful. Our plan was to give these youth the ability to get something they really wanted packaged with individual, personalized messages so they felt loved, especially during the holidays.

This program is only made possible by the generosity of friends, family, and the community.

Back-to-School Campaign

C4C firmly believes in the critical role education plays in allowing children and youth to access opportunities for success. Our Back-to-School campaign ensures school-aged children can start the academic year off right. In 2021, C4C worked with the National Youth Advocate Program (NYAP) in Atlanta to provide 100 children between the 1st and 12th grades with backpacks filled with school supplies.

In 2022, C4C temporarily paused its Back-to-School program to assess its impact
and ensure that any future efforts efficiently and effectively support children in foster care. Thanks to grant funding from the Katherine John Murphy Foundation, this work was resumed in 2023. In 2023, 215 youth received quality backpacks and school supplies that allowed them to start the school year with confidence. The providers that received backpacks and supplies for youth in their care included a home for female survivors of child sex trafficking in Georgia, a second-chance home for young mothers, and several providers that offer shelter for children who have experienced abuse and neglect.

With all our campaigns, we strive to purchase quality materials that the children can be proud of. We have found that being able to spend a little extra on good school supplies, such as fun yet sturdy backpacks, can let these children know they are loved and valued.

Embark Georgia Partnership

In 2020, C4C began a new partnership with Embark Georgia and Embark@UGA to support youth who have experienced foster care and/or homelessness on their journey to post-secondary education.

In 2021, our support helped 15 students at 7 institutions across Georgia. This funding provides direct support to students with emergency needs that arise, such as transportation, housing, books, medical or dental expenses and more. These emergency expenses can easily derail a youth’s life and goals. The needs of these students are evaluated by Embark Georgia Designated Points of Contact (DPOCs) at each institution, who make requests on behalf of any students facing circumstances impeding their ability to continue in their education. These DPOCs initiate requests and remain in close contact with the student throughout the process to ensure the issue has been adequately addressed.