How to help vulnerable kids
Tina Miller, program coordinator with Lutheran Family and Children Services of Missouri, provided these hands-on ways to help vulnerable kids, like those in foster care.
Start a Meal Train
Start a meal train for the first week of a new placement. Even gift cards can help take care of meals so foster parents can focus on helping kids get settled.
Help with the first night supplies
Offer to hit Walmart to get the “first night” items for a new placement (PJs, underwear, toiletries, etc.) – be sure to ask for sizes/preferences (such as a particular diaper brand or formula type for babies).
Help meet needs for foster kids/youth who are school age
When entering care, they may have had to leave behind their school supplies, clothing, and other important belongings. Ask what is needed and see which needs you can meet.
Be a tutor
If you’re a teacher, retired teacher, or you’re good at things like math, language arts, or other subjects – offer to become a tutor to foster kids who may be behind their peers due to neglect in their family of origin or moving from one school to another. (Tutoring needs to happen in a public location, like the dining table of the foster family or at the library.)
Become respite licensed
Become respite licensed with your local foster care organization so that you can provide care when foster families in your church need a break.
Meet the needs of vulnerable families
If you can, help meet the needs of vulnerable families before their kids ever have a need for formal foster care. Often, kids are hotlined simply because their family has a lack of resources, including having little-to-no support system they can lean on. When parents are vulnerable, their kids are vulnerable.
- Read “The Connected Child” by Dr. Karyn Purvis to learn more about how trauma impacts emotional regulation and behavior. Understanding trauma can help us meet needs for kids who are struggling.
- Care to Learn – meeting children’s emergent health, hunger and hygiene needs so they can succeed in school
Become a CASA volunteer
When you become, or support a CASA volunteer, kids in the foster system will have a dependable friend in the midst of the undependable life they have been given. A child with a CASA volunteer is more than half as likely to re-enter the foster care system. Learn more about becoming a Court Appointed Special Advocate >
Be a mentor
Mentoring relationships with organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters help kids develop critical social and emotional skills.
How to help vulnerable people and families
To get you thinking, consider some of the following as ways to serve the vulnerable in our community.
Help provide food, clothing and resources
Springfield-area organizations that help people and families access needed resources, like food, include:
Be a mentor
Help men and women prepare for the workforce by partnering with Victory Mission’s WorkReady Bootcamp.
Advocate for older adults
Provide advocacy, support and assistance to senior adults living in long-term care through Crosslines’ Ombudsman program.
How to connect internationally
To get you thinking, consider some of the following as ways to serve connect internationally.
Serve cross-culturally
Partner with CrossRoads Missions in Piedras Negras, Mexico, during our 2026 global outreach trip. Help with construction projects, volunteer at the English House, connect with refugees, and more. Join the interest group to receive additional information about trip dates, meetings and more.
Become an International Friend
Serve as a local host for international students attending Missouri State. This one-semester commitment helps foster cultural exchange and friendships. Learn more >>
Volunteer with Christian Campus House
Connect with the nations by volunteering through CCH with their international student outreach. Volunteer opportunities include helping to host monthly international student dinners, assisting with game nights and other events/programs as needed. View the International Student page or contact Tyler at CCH to learn more >>