Youth Connect of VA

11/13/2025

You can help make the holidays brighter for our families by purchasing gift cards from our Amazon wishlist! Our staff will use these gift cards to take families shopping so they can choose what’s most meaningful to them this season. ❤️

Thank you for helping us spread joy in a truly personal way! 🎄💛

11/08/2025

Want to make a difference this Christmas? Donate a $25 Amazon, Walmart, Target, or Visa gift card or sponsor a family experience. Drop off by December 1st. Details in the comments below.

11/07/2025

Learn about The Joy Connection 🎄

11/05/2025

🌐 Our New Website is Live!

We’re excited to share that Youth Connect’s new website is officially up and running! 🎉

Explore our programs, learn how to get involved, or make a referral all in one place.

Visit 👉 www.youthconnectva.com

Together, we’re transforming the future- one connection at a time. 💛

11/04/2025

This year, Youth Connect is doing Christmas a little differently and we’d love your help. ❤️

✨ The Joy Connection is all about empowering families to choose what’s best for them during the holidays.
Instead of donating specific toys or items, we’re collecting gift cards and experiences that allow parents and youth to shop or celebrate in a way that’s meaningful to them.

By shifting from “giving things” to creating joy and memories, we strengthen families and bring our community together in the true spirit of the season.

🎁 How It Works

1️⃣ Gift Card Donations
We are collecting $25 gift cards from Amazon, Walmart, Target, Visa, or other general-use stores. You can donate as many cards as you’d like.

2️⃣ Monetary Donations
Cash donations can be made directly to Youth Connect to purchase additional gift cards.
Receipts are available upon request.
(Please note: we cannot accept checks.)

3️⃣ Meal & Experience Donations

Family meal gift certificates (pizza places, local diners, etc.)

Family experience passes (movie theaters, skating rinks, bowling alleys, trampoline parks, etc.)

These options help families create lasting memories and enjoy meaningful time together during the holidays.

🤝 How Families Will Shop

Once donations are collected, Youth Connect staff will work directly with families and youth to help them use their cards whether that means:

- Assisting parents who want to shop online or in person to keep gifts a surprise 🎁

- Helping youth choose their own meaningful gifts or family experiences 🎟️

💛 Join the Joy Connection

Your generosity directly supports local families served by Youth Connect. Together, we can make sure every family has the chance to celebrate their way this Christmas. 🎄

08/04/2025

Thank you Hadley’s Lemonade Stand for your generous donation to our foster care program! Your donation will help so many youth that enter foster care and need basic clothing and necessities.

07/04/2025

We hope everyone has a happy and safe 4th of July!

05/01/2025

💙💙💙

Today, we are celebrating Foster Care Awareness Month and the launch of a new “30 Days, 30 Ways” campaign! 🎉

Throughout the month of May, we’ll highlight one meaningful way each day that you can support Virginia’s foster care community. Whether you're interested in becoming a foster parent or inspired to donate time, skills or resources, there's an opportunity for everyone to get involved! On May 31, we’ll be unveiling a comprehensive online portal that brings all 30 actions together in one place—making it easier than ever to find your way to get involved and stay connected year-round. 💟

Small steps, when taken together, create real momentum.

Learn more about foster care in Virginia: www.FosterVA.com.

05/01/2025

May is National Foster Care Month!

Right now, over 5,000 children are in foster care in Virginia — and more than 700 are waiting for adoptive families. Every child deserves safety, stability, and love.

A few quick facts:
• The average age of a child in VA foster care is just 9 years old.
• Teens and sibling groups are the hardest to place.
• Over 500 youth “age out” of the system each year without a permanent family.

You can make a difference.
You don’t have to be a foster parent to help — spread awareness, volunteer, support foster families, or simply start the conversation.

Want to get involved? Learn more through Youth Connect:
https://www.youthconnectva.com

Let’s lift up these kids and the incredible people who care for them.

02/20/2025

Call or message us today if you are interested in learning about becoming a foster parent.

🌟 Imagine a world where every child has a family to call their own.

As of February 1, there were 5,445 children and youth in foster care in Virginia. Among them, 838 remarkable young adults face the daunting reality of aging out of the system without permanent connections.

💖 These young people carry dreams, hopes, and incredible potential. Together, the church can make a difference by supporting and advocating for them.

💻 Our next Don't Go Alone Mentor Training will be held via Zoom next Tuesday and Wednesday, February 25-26, from 6:30-8:00 PM. Please visit the link below to learn more or sign up today:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd442Ufbi5h6tiZCf8Q196-_r90sh3TonGW4w2kMRuLOndScg/viewform