Tue20Oct
Meals
Supper for the K. family (2 adults, 3 kids)
Drop by 5:30 PMCreston
No pork. The youngest loves anything with rice.
1 of 2 left
Care teams
Help a foster family without becoming one
Every care team has a lead and five members. You pick a role that fits your week, and the team covers each other when life gets busy.
The roles
Pick the job that fits your week
Meal makerTwice a monthAnyone who can cook for six
Drop supper at the door, no visit expected. We use a shared calendar so the family never gets three lasagnas in one week.
Get connectedRespite sitterOne evening a month21 and over, background check
Babysit in the family's home so the parents can sleep, see a movie or sit in a quiet car. Michigan calls this 'alternate caregiving' and it needs our Saturday training.
Get connectedRide giverAs needed, weekdaysClean driving record
Drive a child to a parenting-time visit, therapy or the dentist. Most trips are under thirty minutes.
Get connectedErrand runnerWhenever you're outAnyone
Pick up a prescription, return library books, grab diapers on the way past Meijer.
Get connectedTeam leadAbout 4 hours a monthExperienced volunteers
Coordinate the team, check in with the parents every week and keep the calendar honest. Leads meet Renée quarterly.
Get connectedOpen shifts
This month's openings
Families are listed by first initial only. Your team lead will meet you before your first shift.
Thu22Oct
Meals
Placement-night supper, new placement
Drop by 6:00 PMEastown
Teen boy, 14. Big portions.
0 of 1 left
Fri23Oct
Respite
Parents' Night Out sitters
5:30 – 9:30 PMPlaster Creek Church
Group childcare with games, pizza and a movie.
5 of 12 left
Sat24Oct
Closet
Sort and shelve donations
9:00 AM – NoonThe Closet, Lake Dr
Fold, size and label. Kids 12 and up welcome with a parent.
3 of 6 left
Wed28Oct
Rides
Ride to a parenting-time visit
3:15 – 5:00 PMWyoming to downtown
Car seat provided. You wait in the lobby.
1 of 1 left
Fri30Oct
Respite
Evening respite, two sisters ages 4 and 7
6:00 – 9:30 PMKentwood
Bedtime at 8. Bring a board game.
2 of 2 left
No shifts match. Try another role.
Demo board: signing up claims a spot on this page only.
Care team members
What it's actually like
I'm sixty-eight and I don't have it in me to foster. I do have it in me to make chicken soup every other Tuesday.
Respite night is the only time the parents on our team see each other awake. I take that seriously.
I thought leading a team would be logistics. Mostly it is texting a tired mom 'how are you really' and waiting for the answer.
Before you sign up
Questions people ask Renée
Do I need to be a member of a church?
Most teams form inside one congregation, but you can join any team. We ask every member to agree with our care commitments and to be kind about the rest.
What checks are involved?
Everyone does a background check. Respite sitters and drivers also complete the Saturday training and a central registry clearance, which the state requires for anyone babysitting a child in care.
How long is the commitment?
One year. At the end the team and the family decide together whether to keep going. About two thirds do.
Will I meet the children?
Usually, yes. You will not see their case files or hear their story unless the parents choose to share it, and we ask you never to post photos of them online.
Come to care team training on 24 October
One Saturday morning in the fellowship room. Coffee, Dutch letters and everything you need to start.