Mission Statement
The mission of Columbia Foster and Adoption Project (CFAP) is to support and equip families in the Columbia, Missouri area through the various stages of foster care and adoption.
ABOUT US
CFAP offers support to the relative caregiver, foster and adoptive community through educational trainings and social events. We also support relative caregiver, foster and adoptive families by providing tangible items and supplies for the children of these homes through our Foster & Adoptive Parent Support Group, iBelong Basket program and through CFAP’s “The Giving Tree” which fulfills holiday wish lists of Boone and Callaway County children in foster care.
CFAP is an all volunteer led organization.
Annual Projects
Foster & Adoptive Parent Support Group
Our Foster & Adoptive Parent Support Group is held monthly at the Columbia Boy’s and Girls Club. The events are open to all Boone County relative caregiver, foster and adoptive families. We regularly provide child care, and a meal is provided to everyone who attends. We work with an incredible group of volunteers that host activities for children as parents find community through shared experiences. Every quarter we host a social event, where families can gather to enjoy food, festivities, and enjoy one another’s company.
The Giving Tree
The Giving Tree is a program organized each year by Columbia Foster and Adoption Project in Coordination with Great Circle, Cornerstones of Care, Missouri Alliance for Children and Families and Boone and Callaway Counties Children’s Division to provide Christmas gifts for Boone County children in foster care. Foster parents assist the children in filling out Christmas wish lists, then residents of the community adopt a child’s list to purchase gifts from and return the gifts to CFAP for distribution. Gifts were provided for 325 children in 2022.
iBelong Baskets
Initially entering foster care is one of the most traumatic things a child and their family can face. At a moment’s notice they are asked to pack what belongings they can, if any, and oftentimes don’t even fully understand why they can no longer be with their family. Many of these children have been exposed to things beyond their years. An iBelong Basket is a basket with a purpose to provide comfort to children as they enter the foster care system and to provide important and necessary supplies to support the foster parent or relative caregiver who will be providing for that child. These help ease what is often a scary transition. These baskets all stay in our community and surrounding counties so you can assure your donation supports a local child and their caregiver. From November 2021 – October 2022, we delivered 367 baskets!
2023 Board Members
President- Kathryn O’Hagan
Vice-President- Lisa Crader
Treasurer – Andrew Longley
Support Group Chair and iBelong Basket Chair- Carrie Beucke
The Giving Tree Chair – Cindy Garrett
Board Member – Laura Huntley
Board Member – Abby Haake
Board Member – Erin Strong
Sponsors
The work that Columbia Foster and Adoption Project does all year does not happen without the generous support of individuals and businesses. If you are interested in being an ongoing sponsor of our work please contact us.
