Foster Love Incorporation

Amber Richardson, Founder and Executive Director, and her husband have been foster and adoptive parents for 16 years in the Omaha community. The first child they fostered arrived with a single trash bag containing a few worn-out clothes and a handful of plastic easter eggs considered to be his toys. They were shocked, but they learned over the years that this story was not unique. From their experiences, they have identified a critical need for quality clothing for children in foster care— clothing without holes, stains, or damage. Thus, Foster Love was born.

Foster Love’s mission is to provide basic needs and opportunities for children and families impacted by foster care so they feel confident, empowered, and valued. We serve children and families impacted by foster care in the greater Omaha community through the Foster Love Boutique, our Artsy Kids program, and our Mobile Studio. We are expanding services to include a future job readiness program and a community facing boutique known as Beloved.  

• Foster Love Boutique provides free clothing and shoes to children and families impacted by foster care. The boutique offers an inviting shopping experience where children choose clothing and accessories that fit their style and personality. Giving children the ability to choose what makes them feel confident and comfortable is important to them -- and to us.  All clothing is donated from community outreach events or purchased new through private donations and donor grants. 
• Artsy Kids, our therapeutic arts program, provides a creative outlet for children of all ages to express themselves through the visual arts. Under the guidance of a skilled artist and art educator, children create meaningful art projects.
• Mobile Studio provides a mobile alternative to our traditional boutique and art classes. By creating a mobile space, we can take our programs and services to the community we serve, breaking down barriers to access.
• Future job readiness and life skills is a long-term goal for Foster Love to hire youth who have aged out of foster care and other youth impacted by the foster care system to assist with programs and offerings in a community facing boutique and in the mobile studio. Youth hired for the program will receive opportunities for mentorship as well as advice, guidance, and assistance with life skills development.
• Beloved, our community facing boutique, will operate side by side with Foster Love’s (free) children’s boutique and have two correlating purposes:  to offer a job readiness experience for young adults in the life skills program; and to provide earned revenue for Foster Love. 

Additionally, alongside our main programs, we host unique events for foster families as well as at-large fundraisers to support the boutique, our programs, and overall mission. Our largest family focused event is our annual “Back to School” event. This year’s theme was “Being Myself Is Awesome.” It took place on August 3rd and hosted 150 children and their families - serving at least 300 people. This event offers haircuts, backpacks, school supplies, water bottles, an art station, and other fun activities, free of charge. In April, we hosted a “Prom Pop-Up”, for our youth to shop for formal wear free of charge. In July we hosted our first “Artsy Kid’s Summer Camp”. The camp spanned three days allowing the youth to explore multiple mediums, experience time with their peers outside, and enjoy lunch at the end. We also host our “BOO-tique Bash” in October as an extension of one of our regular shopping days with the addition of art and snacks. Last year we hosted our second annual “Parents Night Out” in December. At this event caregivers are provided with respite while children play games, connect with peers, decorate cookies, complete an art project, and shop for slippers, pajamas, and a gift. 

We have five fundraisers during the year. In 2021 we hosted our first annual “Meters for the Many'' in May and “Sweets with Santa” in December. In 2022 we added our first annual “Foster Love’s Casual Gala” in February. In July of 2023 we added “Music Bingo'' and this year we added “Cornhole for a Cause” in February. All five events are successful at bringing people together to support Foster Love financially. Every pillar of support matters and makes us stronger - allowing us to execute our mission and impact hundreds of children in care.