May is National Foster Care Month — a time to raise awareness, elevate the voices of children and families with lived experience and shine a light on the urgent, ongoing needs of more than 400,000 children and youth currently in foster care across the United States.
At Child Saving Institute (CSI), we see more than a number. We see the faces of children who deserve safety, connection and the ability to grow up in their own communities — near their schools, their support systems and everything they’ve known as “home.”
The Need: More Foster Families, Closer to Home
When children are removed from unsafe environments, they’re already experiencing a deep disruption in their lives. But the trauma doesn’t stop there. Because of a shortage of foster families in certain areas, many kids are placed far from their homes, not just physically, but emotionally, socially and culturally.
Imagine a child growing up in South Omaha, suddenly placed with a foster family in Bennington. The schools are different. The neighborhood feels unfamiliar. The language, rhythms and routines of daily life — all changed overnight. What should be a step toward stability becomes yet another layer of disconnect.
Now imagine an alternative. That same child, being placed with a foster family in their own neighborhood, just a few blocks away. The streets still look familiar. Their favorite teacher still says hello in the hallway. The school bus route doesn’t change. Their sense of identity and belonging stays intact, even as they begin the healing process.
That’s the future CSI is working toward — one where every neighborhood in Omaha has foster families ready to step in. Families who understand the power of proximity. Families who can offer safety and continuity. Families who allow kids to stay connected to the culture, community and comfort they know.
We must preserve a child’s identity while protecting their safety. And that starts with building a more robust, diverse and responsive foster care network across our city.
Ways You Can Support Children in Foster Care
Becoming a foster parent isn’t about being perfect — it’s about being present. CSI walks alongside foster families every step of the way, offering trauma-informed training, 24/7 support and a dedicated team who understands the complexities of healing and resilience. Foster care is rarely easy, but it is always meaningful.
Here’s how you can take action during National Foster Care Month and beyond:
- Say yes to learning more about becoming a foster parent
- Attend a virtual or in-person Foster Parent Orientation
- Share this message with your community
- Volunteer your time or skills to support foster care programs
- Give to support CSI’s services that uplift and empower youth
Every child deserves to stay connected to the places and people they love. Let’s work together to make that a reality for kids in foster care — starting right here in Omaha.
Ready to Get Involved?
Join Us at the Omaha Storm Chasers Game on Tuesday, May 27th at Werner Park
Want to learn more about becoming a foster parent or supporting CSI’s work? Join us at the Omaha Storm Chasers game on Tuesday, May 27, where CSI will be recognized as the Charitable Organization of the Game. Our foster care team will be there with a booth, ready to answer questions, share resources and connect with community members who care about kids — just like you.
