support Foster youth
At The Do Better Initiative, our Support Foster Youth program is driven by a deep commitment to empowering teens in foster care across Texas, helping them thrive in their education, build independence, and envision brighter futures. Inspired by our overarching goals of fostering health, education, and youth support in underserved communities, we focus on bridging gaps that many foster youth face, whether it's access to educational tools, essential resources, or simply the joy of feeling seen and celebrated. During the holiday season, we go beyond basics by fulfilling personalized wishlists with items like laptops for schoolwork, new clothing and shoes for confidence, and gift cards for ongoing needs. By partnering with local organizations and communities, we're not just giving gifts, we're investing in resilience, empathy, and long-term success for these incredible young people.
Mission
Provide Gifts:
We believe every foster teen deserves resources that support their dreams and daily lives. That's why, especially during the holidays, we fulfill individual wishlists with thoughtful, practical gifts tailored to their needs; think laptops to aid in homework and online learning, comfortable shoes and clothing to boost self-esteem, and gift cards for personal or educational expenses. Our goal is to provide not just momentary joy but lasting tools that align with our mission of educational empowerment and youth well-being.
Create Partnerships:
Collaboration is at the heart of our efforts. We work closely with local Texas organizations that support foster youth, obtaining their holiday wishlists while respecting privacy through direct coordination with caseworkers. This ensures we shop for exactly what each teen hopes for, making our support as impactful and personalized as possible. These partnerships help us extend our reach and align with community-driven goals, creating a network of care that uplifts everyone involved.
Distribute Gifts:
We coordinate drop-offs of gifts to partnering organizations' offices, where caseworkers then pick them up and deliver directly to the teens. This streamlined approach maintains confidentiality, builds trust, and ensures our resources get where they're needed most, right into the hands of those we're here to support.
Involve Community:
Our goals thrive on collective action, so we raise awareness through targeted campaigns that invite donors, volunteers, and advocates to join us. When it is time to deliver the gifts, awesome volunteers come out to help drive it over! Together, we're building a movement that not only meets immediate needs but also inspires ongoing support for foster youth, fostering a culture of empathy and inclusion across Texas.
Why Supporting Foster Youth Matters To Me:
As a homeschooled teen with my two younger siblings, family is everything to me. They are who empower me every day to Do Better, and I have always been fortunate to feel secure and loved. The Support Foster Youth program is how I share this with those who haven't had a stable home. While I know that Christmas gifts are just items and aren’t even close to that, I hope it conveys the message, “You are loved, cared for, and remembered. There are people who know you deserve all the good things in life. You shine.” Teens are super important to support, not only because their needs are expensive and commonly overlooked; but they are also in that awkward, confusing time period where they are faced by the prospect of almost being adults. This is even more intense for teens in foster care, because at 18 they age out of the system, so they are no longer receiving support, and don’t have a family safety net. My dream is to empower these youth to break the cycle, and become adults with confidence.
(From left to right: Liliana and her little siblings, Emma and Brody)