VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Marking the start of National Foster Care Month on Wednesday, a local nonprofit is opening its doors to share more about its mission to support children in the foster system.
Connect With a Wish is holding an Open House at its office at 2492 North Landing Road in Virginia Beach.
The event, which runs from 12 to 6 p.m., aims to invite the public to learn more about the organization's programs for kids, young adults and families in the local foster system.
Connect With a Wish is also celebrating its tenth anniversary in 2024. Founder Joy Rios came up with the idea after going through the adoption process for her own children.
“Most people don’t like to think about it too much. Nobody is in there for a good reason, nobody likes to think about why kids would go into foster care and they like to think that someone is taking care of it," said Rios in April. "Well, there’s a lot to be taken care of that’s not taken care of, and that’s why we’ve grown so big because the needs are so great and I just can’t turn my back.”
The nonprofit keeps shelves of clothes, toiletries, toys and more at its office that families can come and pick through for free. It's programs also help connect young people aging out of the system to employment opportunities or apply for colleges.
Last month, Governor Glenn Youngkin signed a bill requiring Virginia colleges to pay the room-and-board of in-state students in foster care. Connect With a Wish worked with Del. Anne Ferrell Tata (R-Virginia Beach) to get the legislation passed.
Rios, who had already supported previous legislation to have tuition paid for, told News 3 earlier this year that achieving free college for fostered youth was a major goal for her organization's tenth year.
Click HERE for more information about Connect With a Wish.
