Permanency. It’s the difference between surviving and thriving.

Foster families are ordinary families who choose to do something extraordinary.

The Bridges Homeward Intensive Foster Care Program is a specialized program for youths who cannot reside with their families at this time, so we support them in every way, shape, and form. The youths we help face unique challenges due to the fact that they were born exposed to substances, experienced abuse or neglect, or have complex medical needs. Once the Department of Children and Families (DCF) determines that a child in foster care would benefit from a higher level of support, requires out-of-home placement, our Intensive Foster Care Program is there for them.

Working with DCF, Bridges Homeward finds transitional, therapeutic foster care for these children.
Our team of foster parents and social workers provide specialized, round-the-clock care, support, and guidance. We highly value and include the perspectives and voices of our youth in making decisions about their care.
We support the child’s successful transition into a permanent placement, reunification with their birth family, guardianship, kinship care, or adoption.

I do not see myself as a replacement mother to any of my foster children. But I am a sort of lifeline for all of them, a connection that they know they can always come back to. By making myself a lifeline to their biological families as well, I can ensure the youths will have a lifetime of support, long after they leave my home.

Bridges Homeward Foster Parent

Begin your foster parenting journey today.

If you want to learn more about foster care or would like to schedule a consultation, email our Family Services team at familyservices@bridgeshomeward.org or call us at 617-876-4210.

A young brother and sister color while seated on the floor. — **The importance of staying connected to the biological family.**

When a child or teen is in foster care, it is more important than ever that they stay connected to their biological family. In fact, most children in foster care eventually reunify with their parents or other family members. At Bridges Homeward, our foster parents interact with biological parents when appropriate and understand the importance of maintaining that connection for the children in their care.

Two foster sisters sit on the ground while holding hands — ***Diversity, equity, and inclusion – think of them as siblings.***

We work with children and teens from a wide spectrum of backgrounds and experiences. Sometimes, youths are placed in foster homes with families who don’t share those backgrounds or experiences. When that happens, we provide specialized support to ensure the child’s identity is respected, supported and celebrated while they're in foster care. We make sure that every one of our youths has equal access to the services and resources they need. That may include help with school, therapy, access to gender-affirming healthcare, and more.

Finding Family Everywhere

16-year-old Sofía’s Colombian heritage and culture is very important to her. Unfortunately, in the years she spent going from home to home in foster care, she missed milestones she’d been looking forward to since she was a little girl, especially her quinceañera. When Sofía came to live with Deborah and Kingston, two Bridges Homeward foster parents, they immediately went to work helping her feel comfortable and welcome. They got to know Sofía and encouraged her to share her desires and needs with them. They took the time to learn about, honor and incorporate Sofía’s culture into their lives together as a foster family. And Deborah made sure Sofia’s perspective was the focus in discussions with social workers about Sofia’s next steps. Deborah and Kingston even researched and hosted a grand quinceañera for Sofía’s 16th birthday! Sofía felt truly happy in their foster home. She felt listened to, cared for and respected by Deborah and Kingston, which is the most we could ever hope for a youth in foster care.

The Vivienne Campbell Award

The Vivienne Campbell Award annually recognizes a foster parent for their exemplary dedication and devotion. The award was established in honor of beloved foster parent Vivienne Campbell after her death in 2015. Vivienne was a foster parent with Bridges Homeward for 20 years, as well as the matriarch of a network of foster parents in the Cambridge and Greater Boston area.

Our most recent award went to Fanita Grubbs, who has been a foster mother for 10 years. Fanita opens her home to the siblings of youth in her care, too – sometimes with very little notice. She gives the siblings time and space to be together in a stable, supportive environment. Whether it’s after school programming at the YMCA, weekend basketball clinics, or Siblings Connection Summer Camp, Fanita is an advocate for the children in her home having meaningful experiences. Children not only feel safe in her care but they also feel deeply connected to Fanita and her family.