In West Virginia, over 6,300 children are in foster care and the number is growing every day.

As a church, our goal is to create a community of support, encouragement, and prayer for children experiencing foster care and the adults who courageously take on the role of a foster parent.

Foster WV is a Chestnut Ridge Church ministry dedicated to raising awareness about the growing foster care crisis in West Virginia, recruiting foster parents to open their hearts and homes to children in need through local child welfare agencies, and resourcing foster, adoptive, kinship, and vulnerable families. We assist families by offering volunteer support in the form of 'care communities,' which include services such as meals, babysitting, mentoring, and help with household chores. The Ridge also provides access to resources, organizes free Foster Family Day events, and other touches throughout the year.

Our goal is to give everyone in our church opportunities to pray, give, and act to help make a difference in the lives of vulnerable children and their families. We believe that together, we can foster West Virginia!
———
“Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress.” 
[James 1:27]

HOW YOU CAN HELP

All of us can help foster West Virginia when we pray, give, and act.

Pray

Children
Pray for the 6,300+ kids being impacted by the WV foster care crisis.
Families
Pray for the biological parents who are going through a challenging season apart from their children.
Pray for the current foster parents as they love and serve the children in their care.
Pray for new foster parents as they step up and begin fostering.
Our Church
Pray for our church family and our partners as we take steps to help foster West Virginia!

Give

Give to help recruit/train volunteers, resource families with essential items, and to provide families with experiences.

Act

Serve
Serve and support foster parents and children by providing practical help, such as delivering meals, childcare, running errands, doing yard work, and more. You can also offer encouragement and emotional support by consistently communicating with the parents, and praying for them. 
Foster
You can change a child’s life, and we’d love to walk with you every step of the way. Learn more about becoming a foster parent to a baby, toddler, child, or teen who needs a loving home.

currently fostering?

We’d love to connect and hear how
we can help you!

Smith + Cargill

“Our friends began fostering multiple children over the last few years. It’s been so inspiring to watch their journey unfold and we love to help them however we can.”
Josh + Hillary

“Even though the children were only with us for a short time, we never imagined the impact fostering would have on us. It was equal parts heartbreaking and fulfilling. We felt closer to God when serving these children and their families by providing safety and security to the children, and also showing them a glimpse of God’s love.”
Chad + Kristin
“The prospect of dedicated support from the Chestnut Ridge Church community will be a wonderful addition for foster/kinship families and the children in their care.  We are so excited about a ministry devoted to this very important issue, and grateful that the church is taking a leadership role to address it.”
Joe + Pam

Upcoming events //

Questions?
Email: foster@theridge.church | Phone: 304-584-0548