Be a Work of Heart Volunteer Respite Parent

You could be embarking on an exciting outreach to children and youth, which will have a significant impact on their lives, as well as your own. By sharing your time, talents, and resources you too can be a Work of Heart Volunteer Respite Parent.

Memories for a Lifetime

Remember camping out in your living room?
Remember making popcorn on the stove?
Remember blowing bubbles?
Remember playing jacks, marbles and double-dutch?
Remember the first time you went fishing or caught a firefly or a frog?

You are Needed

These are experiences that every child should have, and it could be you who introduces one of them to a foster child.

As with all parents, foster parents need a break every now and then too. Often these breaks are the difference between a successful foster care placement and one that ends in another move for the child. You can have a major, positive impact on a child's life just by spending time with them every few weekends.

Becoming a volunteer respite provider has the same training and requirements as a foster parent, but volunteer respite parents keep a child for a day or a weekend at a time. People choose to become a respite provider when they cannot commit to parenting a child full time. When you provide respite, the foster child and family get a much-needed break. And, the child often gets to experience new activities and make new memories.

Be a Volunteer Respite Parent!

Volunteer respite parents take foster children into their homes for a weekend at a time to give both the children and the foster parents a break.

You choose the weekend. We match a child based on your interests.

You get:

• training
• peer support
• an amazing feeling of self-satisfaction.... Oh, and fun!

Volunteer Respite Parents:

• Can be single or married
• Are at least 21 years old
• Rent or own a home or apartment
• Have a clean criminal record
• Have a desire to help others
• Are willing to be part of a professional team
• Enjoy caring for children

Think about it! Then call 1-800-669-HOPE to get more information or fill out the online application form.