Families Helping Families of Iowa is proud to offer support programs to help families and children in foster care throughout the state of Iowa. Our support programs are utilized by thousands of families across the state each year, from preparing students for school through tutoring and activity scholarships to providing clothing options for foster families in need.
Clothing Closet
With generous donations from sponsors and the community, Families Helping Families offers new and gently used clothing, infant supplies and hygiene items suitable for children aged newborn to 18 years old. Our Clothing Closet is located in the lower level of our Families Helping Families office and is staffed by volunteers.
Haircuts for Kids
We support the confidence every child and student needs while going to school, which is why we offer a Haircuts for Kids program. Eligible students in foster care can receive two complimentary vouchers for haircuts per year, as well as a one the Back to School Rally. These haircuts are provided by professional hairdressers at local salons.
Happy Birthday Bundles
Make sure your kiddo feels all the love for their big day! With Happy Birthday Bundles, we’ll help you throw a fun-filled birthday party that your child and their friends are sure to enjoy. From cake and snacks to decorations and balloons, we’ve got you covered!
Senior Celebration
Or, if you’re looking to help celebrate your high school senior’s graduation, look into our Senior Celebration program. You can get help paying for a senior graduation party your accomplished student will love.
Senior Photos
Every high school senior wants to feel good about his or her legacy in the school yearbook. At Families Helping Families of Iowa, we support that goal with a complimentary one-hour photography session for professionally-taken senior pictures through our Senior Photos Program. Foster parents and guardians receive electronic copies of the final photos, so you can print them at your leisure.
Shoe Voucher Program
Through a collaboration with the Kiwanis Club of Cedar Rapids, each child placed in foster care, relative, or other approved placement is eligible to receive one shoe voucher per year valued at $50. The vouchers are redeemable at any Kohl’s Department Store, through our Shoe Voucher Program. Thanks to funds received from the Kiwanis Club, private donations, and grants, we can offer more than 1,000 pairs of shoes for children throughout Iowa.
Soaring Towards Success Tutoring Program
Our Soaring Toward Success Tutoring Program offers tutoring opportunities for students throughout the area, giving children at least a three-month-long tutoring program to help sustain confidence and success in the classroom throughout the school year. This program also covers school supplies, books, and study materials to help kids succeed.
Spread Your Wings Activity Scholarship Program
The Spread Your Wings Activity Scholarship Program helps children in foster care, relative, or other approved placement gain confidence by offering extracurricular activity scholarships of interest including art, music, sports and more. We have funded hundreds of children with these opportunities by providing financial assistance for program fees, equipment, uniforms and more.