Help Improve the Future of a Child in Foster Care
Family Visitation Project
The FVR Project helps to keep the family visitation rooms, located at the five DHS Office of Children, Youth and Families regional offices, welcoming and well-equipped so that the supervised visits between children and parents are the best they can be.
- Volunteers are needed to tidy the rooms and organize the toys and books.
- Monetary and in-kind donations are needed to replace toys and furnishings.
Allegheny County Music Festival Fund
The Allegheny County Music Festival Fund (ACMFF) provides life-enriching items and opportunities for children receiving services through DHS or the Allegheny County Juvenile Court. Two fundraisers support the ACMFF: the Allegheny County Music Festival and Candidates’ Comedy Night.
- Volunteers are welcome to assist at the Allegheny County Music Festival, an annual benefit concert staged at Hartwood. Volunteers are needed for a variety of tasks on the day of the concert
- Monetary donations to the ACMFF are also welcomed.
CASA
CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Allegheny County works with community volunteers who advocate for abused and neglected children in court and throughout the child welfare system.
Ward Home
Since 1905, Ward Home has been enabling at-risk teens to maximize their potential as human beings and grow into self-reliant young adults. Today we operate three supervised independent living facilities (S.I.L.) for teen girls, teen boys and teen parents as well as an in-home service (Ward Independent Skills Enhancement, or W.I.S.E.) that enables disadvantaged teens, living on their own or with foster parents, to become successful, independent adults. W.I.S.E. is a collaborative effort with the Allegheny County Independent Living Project.
Child Watch
Child Watch is a non-profit advocacy coalition focused on making the needs of children in Allegheny County a priority throughout the community.
DHS Holiday Project
The DHS Holiday Project provides gifts for children who are in families receiving services through the DHS Office of Children, Youth and Families (CYF), through donations from the public.
- Volunteers are needed to pick up and deliver gifts.
- Monetary and gift donations are also welcomed.
Foster Care
While most children removed from their home because of abuse or neglect are placed with members of their extended family or family friends, Allegheny County is interested in having a large pool of prospective foster families in order to make the most appropriate match for children who are placed outside of their families.
- Foster Care provides temporary, round-the-clock care for a child(ren) involved in the child welfare system. Contact one of the child foster care agencies in Allegheny County to begin the process.
- The Porch Light Project works to make the vision of a “forever family for every child” a reality. Visit Porch Light Project for ideas about how to get involved.
Project Prom
Project Prom provides formal attire to eligible high school students.
- Volunteers are needed to set up the shop and to help during the giveaway.
- Monetary and formal wear donations are also welcomed
Running for Laptops
Running for Laptops runners raise money to provide laptops to disadvantaged kids who are attending college. They provide something they could never afford on their own, but can make a huge difference in their success on campus.
- Participate as a RFL runner in the Pittsburgh Marathon or Great Race
- Support an RFL runner by pledging a per-mile contribution or a flat donation.
Transition-age Youth
Young adults who are aging out of the child welfare system often do so without supports and connections to a permanent family.
- Mentors are always needed to donate their personal time to nurture the positive growth of a young adult.
Download the Embark! Handbook (PDF) » - Monetary and in-kind donations to benefit young adults when starting post-secondary education are welcomed.
