Congregations for Kids (CFK) serves as a vital support network for children and teens navigating the complexities of the foster care system in the Greater Charlotte area. Their multifaceted approach includes four pathways of support: Foster, Mentor, Serve, Give and encompass the recruitment and training of foster parents, pairing mentors with older youth in foster care, offering support to child welfare professionals, and mobilizing the community to meet immediate, tangible needs for those entering foster care through their CAREnow technology platform. CFK strives to ensure that kids in foster care receive the love, guidance, and stability essential for their well-being while also working towards systemic change and advocating for a community where every child has the opportunity to thrive. Their commitment to building a network of Champions around these children and teens is grounded in the belief that every child deserves to be seen, known, and loved. CFK’s holistic model underscores their dedication to making a lasting difference in the lives of those they serve by providing easy on-ramps to engage the community in serving vulnerable children with a core believe that “Everyone can do something.”

This fall, Ballantyne Ball and Congregations for Kids (CFK) want to send children and teens in foster care back to school with a new pair of shoes and a little extra confidence. In North Carolina, 89% of kids entering foster care do so as a result of neglect. Each month, CFK receives clothing and shoe requests for vulnerable kids, and the requests continue to climb as the school year starts.

Every $50 donation sponsors a new pair of shoes to help children and teens step back into school hallways with dignity, comfort, and a sense of support.