Featured Archives - The Foster Alliance Every child on the foster care journey thrives. Always. Thu, 05 Feb 2026 19:02:31 +0000 en hourly 1 https://thefosteralliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/TheFosterAlliance.Star_.Hashtag-e1699377882899-66x66.png Featured Archives - The Foster Alliance 32 32 Now serving New Mexico https://thefosteralliance.org/now-serving-new-mexico/ Thu, 01 May 2025 21:25:08 +0000 https://thefosteralliance.org/?p=19354 Two Organizations of Strength Combine During 2024, The Foster Alliance (TFA) took advantage of the opportunity to combine our business operations with a similar mission-driven organization in New Mexico, New Mexico Friends of Foster Children (NMFFC). Knowing both organizations are aligned around serving foster communities, our collective Board Members agreed we were stronger

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Two Organizations of Strength Combine

During 2024, The Foster Alliance (TFA) took advantage of the opportunity to combine our business operations with a similar mission-driven organization in New Mexico, New Mexico Friends of Foster Children (NMFFC). Knowing both organizations are aligned around serving foster communities, our collective Board Members agreed we were stronger together.

NMFFC and TFA have resolved to combine resources and programming to carry out the philosophies of “where they need us, when they need us”, and all foster children deserve “more than just enough”. It is our combined commitment to continually explore innovative and creative ways to support the foster community, tribal nations, and other organizations aligned to build a brighter future for foster kiddos.
This means we do everything in our power to provide excellent services to the foster families and foster children we currently serve today and in the future. By working together, each organization will learn from one another and continue to serve the foster communities in New Mexico and Arizona. Today, the combined organizations will be rebranded to The Foster Alliance.
This morning, both organizations came together for a press conference announcing the combination, which can be viewed at the link below!

We are excited and committed to continue serving the foster care community in Arizona and New Mexico as The Foster Alliance, and we couldn’t do it without your support! We can’t thank you enough for helping us serve children on a foster care journey where they need us, when they need us.

NMFFC is now TFA

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]]> The transition from AZ Helping Hands to The Foster Alliance https://thefosteralliance.org/the-transition-from-arizona-helping-hands-to-the-foster-alliance/ Tue, 01 Apr 2025 02:34:43 +0000 https://thefosteralliance.org/?p=19260 From AZ Helping Hands to The Foster Alliance As you may or may not know, we've changed our name, and AZ Helping Hands is now The Foster Alliance! When AZ Helping Hands (AHH) began in 1998, it had a broad mission - to help the community in any way possible. This rebranding celebrates

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From AZ Helping Hands to The Foster Alliance

As you may or may not know, we’ve changed our name, and AZ Helping Hands is now The Foster Alliance! When AZ Helping Hands (AHH) began in 1998, it had a broad mission – to help the community in any way possible. This rebranding celebrates our refined focus to support the foster care community by providing essentials to benefit children in foster care. Essentials continue to be beds, cribs, shoes, clothing, diapers, pull-ups, hygiene kits, as well as birthday and holiday gifts.

Our new brand isn’t about flowery names, pretty colors, and fun fonts; it’s about telling the story of who we really are here at The Foster Alliance (TFA). After extensive research, we learned a few things about how our supporters, foster families, and our community partners see us. We also learned about who we are striving to become.

We are:

COMPASSIONATE: We operate from a space of understanding and care while providing a welcoming environment for all: foster families and their kiddos, volunteers, investors, and fellow professionals.

HUMAN: We understand that life is hard and complicated at times. We celebrate our community; the children and youth we serve, those who open their hearts, and those who open their homes.

INNOVATIVE: We listen and learn to become the organization the foster community needs today and in the future. “How might we,” is how we lead.

Finally, you may be wondering, “Why Alliance?” Many times, we have heard that it takes a village to raise a child and when children and youth are in foster care because of the significant complexities – we find it takes a strong and connected community – aligned together. Together we can provide “more than just enough” and together, foster kiddos win. Truly a common goal!

Our common goal – reaching more foster families and their kiddos because we believe every child on a foster care journey deserves a safe place to sleep, to be celebrated on their birthday, and to have a caring community supporting their foster family.

To this end, in 2024 we were able to serve more than 8600 children in Arizona’s foster care system. A record number keeping TFA as the largest provider of essential services to children in foster care in Arizona. We do our work through locations in both Phoenix and Flagstaff, and… to keep us moving forward, we are now raising funds and serving the foster community in New Mexico – officially as of February 2025!

We know, every day foster, and kinship families count on TFA to be their partner. In return, we count on generous support from kind and compassionate people like you. We believe, “when they need us, where they need us” – we will show up which is why we now have multiple locations as well as two mobile units.

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]]> Tips & Tricks for the Best Back-To-School Drive Ever https://thefosteralliance.org/tips-tricks-for-the-best-back-to-school-drive-ever/ Sun, 30 Jun 2024 22:06:54 +0000 https://thefosteralliance.org/?p=18419 TIPS & TRICKS TO HAVE THE BEST BACK-TO-SCHOOL DRIVE EVER The Russ Lyon Sotheby’s team of realtors has proven to be one of the most successful back-to-school drive partners in Arizona. Recently, the leaders of the Russ Lyon Foundation team sat down with our very own, Bethany Eggleston, VP of Development & Marketing,

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Back to school drive promo image

TIPS & TRICKS TO HAVE THE BEST BACK-TO-SCHOOL DRIVE EVER

The Russ Lyon Sotheby’s team of realtors has proven to be one of the most successful back-to-school drive partners in Arizona. Recently, the leaders of the Russ Lyon Foundation team sat down with our very own, Bethany Eggleston, VP of Development & Marketing, and Matt Lipan, VP of Operations & Engagement, to share their keys to success.

1. Set a Goal

“Reach high for stars are hidden in you.” – Rabindranath Tagore

When you and your team set a goal of how many pairs of shoes or backpacks you want to donate together and share why your goal is important, you inspire the people in your community to join forces with you to reach your goal. When we reach for the stars, we can help children in foster care change their stars.

2. Create a Competition

Hosting a back-to-school drive is fun. Crank up the fun by also creating a game to see who can donate the most shoes, socks, or school supplies. Create teams among employees, departments, offices, clubs, and social groups. The winning team gets a prize or bragging rights. Have all of the fun so foster kids can too!

3. Invite Your Partners to Participate

“Reach high for stars are hidden in you.” – Rabindranath Tagore

The most successful companies and organizations have many strong partnerships. Invite your business partners, vendors, companies who share your building, or even sister/brother clubs to join your back-to-school drive. Your partners are already on your side, they will be happy to support you as you work to help children in foster care feel confident on their first day of school.

4. Over Communicate

The number one reason why a person donates is because you asked!

People are busy, and the summer and back-to-school can be even busier. Many think that sending reminders often will be annoying to your colleagues, friends, and family, yet often they are thankful for the reminder. The team at Russ Lyon Sotheby’s recommends getting the word out once to twice a week during your back-to-school drive.

Click the button below to download resources to make hosting your drive easy!

Questions? Contact the development team: development@thefosteralliance.org | 480-889-0604

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]]> Donations For Foster Care Birthdays https://thefosteralliance.org/foster-care-birthday-dreams/ Thu, 01 Dec 2022 20:00:30 +0000 http://azhelpinghands.org/?p=16383 Foster Care BirthdaysSadly, too many children in foster care have never experienced the joy of a birthday celebration. These foster children have never had anyone sing “Happy Birthday” to them. They’ve never had gifts to open or candles to blow out on a birthday cake. These children might not even understand what a birthday is—that there’s

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Foster Care Birthdays

Sadly, too many children in foster care have never experienced the joy of a birthday celebration. 

These foster children have never had anyone sing “Happy Birthday” to them. They’ve never had gifts to open or candles to blow out on a birthday cake. These children might not even understand what a birthday is—that there’s a special day every year to be celebrated in their honor.

All foster children should receive the joy, self-esteem growth, and beautiful memories that a birthday celebration provides.

Helping Foster Children Celebrate Their Birthday

We create personalized birthday packages for children in foster care. You can help us make an impact from the comfort of your home or by volunteering with us.

Help Celebrate Foster Care Birthdays From Home

Want to help foster care children celebrate their birthdays? There are three ways you can help from wherever you are located.

  • Decorate Birthday Dream Bags: We craft Birthday Dream Bags for foster children that include three gifts and a book. You can help us decorate these bags so they’ll dazzle the foster children that we give them to.
  • Create Birthday Cards: Help us make fun, personalized birthday cards that we can include in the Birthday Dream Bags.
  • Create a Birthday Party in a Bag: As part of our Birthday Dreams package, we include a “Birthday Party in a Bag” that has all the supplies needed to celebrate a birthday. You can help us create these.

Learn more about how you can participate in one of these at-home service projects.

Volunteer to Celebrate Foster Care Birthdays

We’re always in need of volunteers to help us with our Birthday Dreams Program. Volunteer roles include:

  • Fill Birthday Requests
  • Decorate Birthday Dreams Bags
  • Create Birthday Cards

Volunteers play an integral role in creating amazing birthday memories for children in foster care. Just a small amount of your time can make a world of difference in the life of a child. Learn more about our volunteer opportunities at The Foster Alliance.

Foster Care Gift Donation Ideas

  • Toys
  • Books (children and teens)
  • Arts and Crafts Supplies (painting kit, coloring book, bracelet-making supplies, etc.)
  • Board Games
  • Sports Items (football, soccer ball, mini basketball hoop, etc.)
  • Gifts for Teen Girls (makeup kit, notebook/journal, bath and body kits, headphones/earpods, jewelry, etc.)
  • Gifts for Teen Boys (shaving kit, hair styling gel, notebook/journal, headphones/earpods, water bottles)
  • Gift Cards for Teens (teen clothing stores, electronics stores, etc.)

Even a single birthday donation for our foster care children is helpful to us!

Birthday Party Donation Ideas

Our Birthday Party in a Bag is an integral part of our Birthday Dreams gift packages. These bags include a full set of party supplies with everything needed for a foster care birthday celebration.

Here are our most needed items:

  • Birthday Bags
  • Boxed Cake Mixes
  • Cake Frosting
  • Cake Pans
  • Birthday Candles
  • Streamers
  • Balloons
  • Paper Birthday Hats
  • Party Horn

How to Donate for Foster Care Birthdays

There are several different ways you can donate to a foster care birthday, including:

  • Shopping Our Wishlist
  • Sponsoring a Collection Drive
  • Dropping Off Birthday Gift Donations
  • Making a Monetary Donation

You can help us no matter how much free time you have available.

Shop our Wishlist

Having trouble coming up with birthday party donation ideas? Shop our wishlist online. We’ve curated a variety of wishlists that are perfect for our Birthday Dreams packages.

Sponsoring a Collection Drive

Sponsor a collection drive at a location near you. Gift collection drives can be a great way to gather a large volume and variety of birthday gifts for our packages by tapping into your community.

Dropping Off Birthday Gift Donations

We’re grateful for your donation! You can drop off donations at our facility:

3110 E. Thunderbird Rd. Suite 100, Phoenix, AZ 85032

We’re open Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 4:30pm.

Please drive to the back of the building to the last garage door (Northeast corner). We’ll have a staff member there to accept your donation!

Make a Donation

We’re extremely appreciative of monetary donations! Your one-time or monthly donation helps us create wonderful birthday packages for foster care children. Learn how to donate to The Foster Alliance.

Birthday Dreams Request

Need help celebrating a birthday for a foster care child? Fill out a birthday request form.  We also offer other resources for foster families.

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