Free and Discounted Resources for Youth (+ Holiday Gifting)

KARA reportingMike TikkanenDecember 5, 2025

Republished from the Kids at Risk Action archive as written. No images from the original corpus appear in any form.

Children and youth in foster care often have needs that are not available to be filled by the County or their caregivers. Christmas and the holiday season can be hard on families with limited resources. If you know of a foster child or foster family who would benefit from the free and discounted resources for foster families and holiday gifts for foster children on this page, send this link to them and share this page widely.

Do you have examples of resources not shown here? Send them to info@invisiblechildren.org with FOSTER RESOURCES in the subject line

Free Headspace Plans for Teens and High School Students** (mental health and wellness app)**
If you have ever been in foster care, please contact us and a member of our team will work with you to discuss how to submit a wish. Becoming a Community Partner allows you to submit wishes (up to $500) on behalf of the incredible children and young people you support. **Wishes Granted **(Urgent wishes & wishes near you)
Amazon Prime Discount for Foster Parents: All foster children are covered by medicaid and have a valid medicaid card which can be submitted for the discount. Go here to qualify and join!
Dollywood Tickets for Foster Families:** requesting tickets and how those tickets can be used here.**
Goodwill also offers a discount for clothing for foster children. The discount may vary between states and stores.
Music lessons and instrument scholarships: Learn more here
Once Upon a Child typically offers a 10% discount for clothing for foster children
Prom Dresses from Becca’s Closet (chapters nationwide): Search for a free Prom Dress here
**Therapy Services to Foster Youth **– Most therapy is also provided through Medical Assistance, so don’t be afraid to reach out to call around to find the right fit.
YMCA Membership (Free or Discounted): Call your local YMCA for details (can be based on income)
Zoo and Aquarium Discounts for Foster Families: Check all of your local zoos and aquariums. Since they are all individual, it is impossible to pull together a list. However, from calling all of the one’s in my local area, I found that every single one, including the larger Ripley’s Aquarium in the Smokey’s was willing to offer some type of discount.
MN foster college grants
College grants for foster youth
College scholarships for Foster Youth
Search multiple Grants for Foster Youth
More college scholarships for adopted youth
Free Resources for Fostering Families
KIDS AT RISK ACTION RESOURCE LIBRARY
KIDS AT RISK ACTION FINANCIAL LITERACY PROGRAM (FREE)

Ways to support a foster youth or family in your area:

Become a Mentor (Make a difference in the life of a child)
Provide parents with short term child care
Give to or Start a Donation Center
Start a Becca’s Closet Clothing Chapter for kids in your community
Become a Foster America Fellow
Provide Free Legal Services to a Child in Need
Send a foster youth a College Care Package

WHEN YOU Share KARA’s reporting with FRIENDS, INSTAGRAM & FACEBOOK

and most of all, your State Representative (find them here)

good things will come a little bit faster.

Small efforts = real results.

Support KARA’s work with a small monthly donation: CLICK HERE TO DONATE

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR E-NEWSLETTER

List of Holiday Free & Discounted Programs Minnesota & Metro Twin Cities;

Continue in the Read More for Minnesota‑based programs offering holiday gifts and support to foster, adoptive, kinship, and other child‑welfare‑involved families in 2025. Below are key options with direct links and concise details.

Foster‑specific holiday programs

Foster One Ministries – Christmas 2025
Foster One’s Christmas Program provides personalized gifts (typically valued at $75–$100) for children within the child welfare system, including foster, kinship, and some reunifying biological families in Minnesota. Families submit a request form for each child, listing preferences, hobbies, and sizes; gifts are picked up at Substance Church in Spring Lake Park on Saturday, December 13, 1–4 p.m. Details and forms: https://fosterone.org/christmas/

Safe Haven Foster Shoppe – Foster Christmas 2025
Safe Haven Foster Shoppe runs “Foster Christmas 2025 – Sponsor a Child for Christmas!” to match donors with Minnesota foster children for holiday gifts. Families connected to foster care can receive gifts; donors sponsor children via the nonprofit’s site. Info: https://safehavenfostershoppe.org (see the “Foster Christmas 2025” posts)

CHLSS – Kids Holiday Wishlist / Holiday Donation Drive 2025
Children’s Home Society & Lutheran Social Service (CHLSS) organizes a holiday donation drive where kids in foster care share wish lists and donors provide gifts or funds to fulfill them. CHLSS also maintains a Community Closet for in‑kind donations that support foster and adoptive families year‑round. Learn more:

Holiday drive: https://chlss.org (look for “Holiday Donation Drive 2025” / “Kids Holiday Wishlist”)

**Community Closet: https://chlss.org/donate/community-closet/**

Youthprise – Fostering Hope
Youthprise’s Fostering Hope initiative raises funds (goal of $16,000) to distribute holiday gift boxes to foster, permanent placement, and similar students (FPS youth), including a $100 gift card and additional items to brighten the season. Details: https://youthprise.org/fosteringhope/

Holiday “adopt‑a‑family” / gift programs that include foster/adoptive families

These are broader Minnesota programs that often serve foster, adoptive, kinship, and CPS‑involved families referred by social workers:

Avivo – 2025 Adopt‑A‑Family
Avivo’s Adopt‑A‑Family Holiday Gift Giving Program matches families in Avivo programs (which include many experiencing homelessness, mental health, and child‑protection involvement) with community sponsors. Donors drop off gifts the first full week of December; families receive wrapped gifts before the holidays. Info: https://avivomn.org/adopt-a-family/

FamilyWise Services – Gifts of Community Holiday Giving Program
FamilyWise runs “Gifts of Community,” a holiday program where sponsors provide gifts to families served by FamilyWise (which includes child welfare, supervised visitation, and parenting support). Sponsor registration is often full by late November, but families may still be eligible if enrolled in programs. Info: https://familywiseservices.org/get-involved/gifts-of-community/

Good in the ’Hood – Holiday Help Adopt‑a‑Family (Twin Cities)
Good in the ’Hood’s Holiday Help Campaign provides gifts and an “Adopt‑a‑Family” shopping experience for families in need, many referred by social‑service and school partners. Foster and kinship families can often be referred through caseworkers or partner agencies. Program details and contact: https://www.goodinthehood.org/our-programs/holiday-help-campaign/holiday-help-adopt-a-family/

Ramsey County – Holiday Sponsorship Program
Ramsey County’s Holiday Sponsorship Program links sponsors with families in need, including those involved with county human services; sponsors shop for gifts based on family wish lists. Social workers typically refer families with the highest needs. Info: https://www.ramseycountymn.gov/your-government/volunteer/holiday-sponsorship-program

Catholic Charities of St. Cloud – Share the Spirit
Share the Spirit matches central Minnesota families referred by social workers, medical providers, and educators with sponsors who provide gifts (minimum about $70 per person). Many referred households include foster, kinship, or CPS‑involved families. Details: https://www.ccstcloud.org/share-the-spirit-holiday-program

Community Thread – Holiday Hope (Washington County & nearby)
Holiday Hope serves financially struggling families and older adults with gifts and basic‑needs items; referrals often come through schools and social‑service agencies, which can include foster or adoptive households. Info: https://communitythreadmn.org/holiday-hope/

National / general programs accessible in Minnesota

Salvation Army – Angel Tree & Holiday Programs
The Salvation Army’s holiday efforts (including Angel Tree) provide gifts, food, and utility assistance to families in need; foster and adoptive families can often enroll through local corps in Minnesota. Info and local lookup: https://www.salvationarmyusa.org/holiday-giving/

Doing Good Together – Adopt a Child or Family for the Holidays
Doing Good Together curates Twin Cities adopt‑a‑family and gift‑giving opportunities and may list programs specifically including foster and adoptive families; this can be a resource to find additional local drives. Overview: https://www.doinggoodtogether.org/bhf/adopt-a-child-or-family

Where to start for MN foster/adoptive families

For KARA’s readers and partners in Minnesota, the most directly foster‑focused 2025 options are:

CASAMN CASA Cares Foster Grants – CASA Cares – CASA MN

Foster One Christmas Program – https://fosterone.org/christmas/

Safe Haven Foster Shoppe Foster Christmas – https://safehavenfostershoppe.org

CHLSS Holiday Donation Drive / Community Closet – https://chlss.org and https://chlss.org/donate/community-closet/

Youthprise Fostering Hope – https://youthprise.org/fosteringhope/

Because application windows and eligibility vary (often closing by late October/November), families should check each site’s 2025 dates and work with their foster care agency, county worker, or CASA/guardian ad litem to ensure referrals are submitted on time.

WHEN YOU Share KARA’s reporting with FRIENDS, INSTAGRAM & FACEBOOK

** and most of all, your State Representative** (find them here)

good things will come a little bit faster.

Small efforts = real results.

List of Holiday Free & Discounted Programs Minnesota & Metro Twin Cities;

National / general programs accessible in Minnesota

Where to start for MN foster/adoptive families

WHEN YOU Share KARA’s reporting with FRIENDS, INSTAGRAM & FACEBOOK

** and most of all, your State Representative** (find them here)

change will come a little bit faster.

Small efforts = real results.

and most of all, your State Representative (find them here)

and most of all, your State Representative (find them here)