Ways to Help

Opportunities to Help Foster Families

At Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries, there are a variety of ways to help foster families. Join us as we care for children in foster care.

We strive to build a community of support for children in foster care and foster parents. Organizationally, we do this through efficient licensing, trainings that equip families to succeed, and our family advocacy program. Meanwhile, our greater Coyote Hill community supports families and children through prayer, volunteering, and more.

Everyone can make a difference in the life of a child in foster care! Check out our volunteer application at the link below or read through all of the ways to help foster families.


Ways to Help Foster Families

We have different “levels” of volunteer opportunities. Basically, higher levels need a greater amount of consistency and time commitment. Furthermore, each level is essential for creating environments where children in foster care can thrive.

Level One Engagement

A child sits next to her foster dad with her hands folded in prayer.

Join Our Prayer Team.

Prayer was the top need identified by our foster parents. We have a dedicated group of prayer volunteers that receive a monthly newsletter with prayer requests and pray over Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries families.

Share with Others.

Education and awareness is essential as we work towards more than enough resources for children in foster care. Check out our “This is Foster Care” series to start learning more about the realities of foster care in mid-Missouri.

Licensing and Training Foster Parents for Children in Foster Care Missouri

Become a Family Partner.

Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries is almost entirely donor-funded, which means we rely on individual gifts. Our Family Partners give monthly. This consistency allows us to continue investing in more safe families for children in foster care.

Level Two Engagement

Volunteer at or Host a Respite Event.

Respite events are critical to foster parent retention, because it provides time for foster parents to take care of their own needs. We host respite events quarterly in each of our areas. Additionally, we love to partner with businesses, schools, and churches to host events. Also, we need volunteers that help with check-in and fun activities throughout the day!

Prepare Meals for a Foster Family.

The need for meals is identified as one of the top five needs of our foster families. When balancing appointments and busy schedules, it is a huge blessing to know that dinner is taken care of. We have volunteers who regularly bring meals or prepare freezer meals for families.

Provide Childcare.

We offer childcare at regular support group meetings and at some of our trainings. This is an invaluable service that breaks down barriers for parents who need additional support. We are always in need of childcare volunteers at these events!

Volunteer at an Event.

We host a variety of events and fundraisers throughout the year, and we are always looking for additional volunteers to help set up, greet and check-in guests, run a booth or table, and more!

Level Three Engagement

Supervise Family Visits.

Join a volunteer team to help ensure kids get to see their parents while they are in foster care. This is a one-hour, weekly commitment at our Family Connections Home in Columbia. Specifically, this is a great opportunity to encourage and support parents trying to get their children home.

Become a Foster Friendly Church.

We believe local churches are essential to foster care ministry. We would love for your church to partner with us. To that end, we have a variety of ways that churches can serve and meet the needs of foster families. For example, this can look like starting a foster care ministry, hosting a respite event, or becoming more-trauma informed to support children and families in your congregation.

Foster a Family.

Would you be interested in walking alongside a foster family? Do you want to partner with them? This can look like helping out with transportation, meals, mentoring, or providing childcare. We will pair you with a family. You can help them in whatever ways you feel equipped and lead to do, while you build a relationship with the family.

Level Four Engagement

Become a Foster Parent.

Foster parents play a vital role in a child’s story. They step into the gap to help a child heal from the trauma they’ve experienced while providing a safe home. If you are interested in fostering—today, or some day far in the future—we would love to connect with you.

Become an Ambassador.

Ambassadors are representatives that are passionate about Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries’s work in the community, and want to help spread awareness about the need for foster care resources in the community.

Become a Respite Parent.

Respite care provides foster parents relief from the daily challenges of caring for a child in foster care. Respite care is often provided over a weekend, or sometimes just a day. This is a great chance to provide rest for foster parents and mentor a child in foster care.

We would love to connect you with more information. Fill out our volunteer application, or subscribe to our e-newsletter to learn more.

Connect With Us

Connect With Us