May is Foster Care Awareness Month, an opportunity to reflect on the children and families navigating some of life's most difficult challenges and to celebrate the communities that show up for them.

At Friends of the Children - Eastern Idaho, we know that one of the most powerful ways to keep families together is to show up for the whole family. That's the heart of our two-generation (2Gen) approach, supporting not just the youth we serve, but the caregivers who love them most. Here are two recent stories that bring that work to life.

When one mom noticed her child had been sick repeatedly, she reached out to let us know they didn't have basic over-the-counter medicine at home. Through our partnership with the Idaho Children's Trust Fund (ICTF), we were able to provide every family in our program with a medicine cabinet starter kit, including cough and cold medicine, sore throat relief, ibuprofen, and other essentials. A partner of ICTF also generously donated medicine lock boxes for every family to further protect the youth's health and safety. These small things makes an enormous difference in a child's physical health and well-being, and in caregivers' peace of mind.

In another situation, a mom living in a subsidized apartment complex received an unexpected notice that her unit inspection had been moved up to the following day. She didn't have money for cleaning supplies, laundry detergent, or a mop. She reached out for help, and Audrey, our Operations Director, showed up with donated supplies in hand. She even stayed to help fold laundry and chat with this parent, talking through recent stresses as well as joyful moments. The mom passed her inspection. What might sound like a small win was anything but, as a failed inspection could have meant losing her home entirely. Instead, she could confidently show her clean home during the inspection and maintain critical stability for her family.

Stories like these remind us that the majority of child welfare referrals in Idaho are rooted in poverty, not neglect. This Foster Care Awareness Month, we celebrate the way our Friends, and our whole team, dedicate themselves to the prevention work that keeps children safe, stable, and with the people who love them.