For many children in foster care, the holiday season can be the hardest time of the year. While others gather for familiar traditions, these kids often face grief, separation, and reminders of past trauma. Some spend the holidays in group homes or temporary placements instead of stable family settings, making what should be a joyful season feel confusing and lonely.

In the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex alone, more than 9,000 children are currently in foster care, a number that reflects the urgent need for safe, nurturing homes here at home, according to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.Every year many youth age out of care without ever finding that lifelong connection. 

This is why adoption and foster support matter so deeply, especially now. Every child deserves a safe home, consistent traditions, and adults who show up for them not only during the holidays, but all year long. Opening your heart and home to a child can change the trajectory of their life and give them a sense of belonging at a time when it is needed most.

That’s why EMPOWER, a child welfare collaborative serving children and families across North Texas, is reminding the Dallas-Fort Worth community about the importance of offering love, stability, and hope throughout the holidays and beyond. The organization works alongside local families, support networks, and child welfare professionals to meet the unique needs of children in care, helping ensure they don’t walk this season alone. 

You don’t have to adopt to make a difference. You can mentor, support foster families, raise awareness, or simply take time to learn about the needs of children waiting for permanency. Every act of kindness strengthens the fabric of our community and shows kids that they matter, that their story can be full of hope, and that there is a place where they belong.

During this season of giving, consider the gift of family. Know that your involvement, in whatever form that takes, can bring light into a child’s life when they need it most.