ABOUT

Our History

Foster Community was born out of the Travis County Collaborative for Children (TCCC), a bold and ambitious initiative that works to bring system wide change to the way foster children in Travis County are cared for during, and after, their time in state custody.

2017

Launched through Mission Capital in the fall of 2017 with support from the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, Foster Community is a network of nonprofits, government agencies and community leaders dedicated to increasing the number and diversity of healing foster and adoptive families in Central Texas.

2018

In 2018, Partnerships for Children took on the role of backbone support for Foster Community and began to build a team of individuals from diverse backgrounds to continue the Foster Community movement.

2019

Foster Community continued their foster care outreach efforts by increasing the number of non profit partner organizations that support children in care, hosted multiple information sessions in diverse communities, and attended countless events to bring awareness to the need for more engagement in foster care and adoption in Central Texas.

Using a grassroots community engagement strategy, a centralized website, and collaborative recruitment materials, Foster Community seeks to amplify the efforts of its partner organizations while reaching new populations to support children and their families in the child welfare system or risk of involvement in the child welfare system.

Our Staff

DANIELLE

As our Community Engagement Specialist, Danielle is passionate about building relationships and is recognized as a people connector and relationship builder. She uses her ability to make a positive impact in the foster care and non-profit sectors by forging strong connections within the community. Her work includes developing resources that highlight Foster Community’s initiatives, organizing community events, hosting twice monthly foster care and adoption info sessions and developing partnerships that support the organization's goals.

Danielle has over a decade of experience in marketing communications. She has worked as a Marketing Specialist and Project Manager, leading content creation, digital/print marketing campaigns, and event promotions with a focus on the greater good of the community. She assisted with the development of a corporate foundation, the planning of its philanthropic fundraising events, and has organized yearly, multi-county food drives. Another role involved engaging with military families, crafting inclusive messaging, and developing initiatives that provided resources and support.

Danielle is committed to raising awareness and generating support that inspires a positive impact for all families in the foster community. She holds a degree from Sonoma State University and enjoys spending time with her husband, three boys, Frenchie, and exploring the great city of Austin and beyond.

CRISTAL

Cristal earned her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Mercyhurst University in 2018. During her time in undergraduate studies, she began her work in the child welfare space with Families United Inc. where she worked with foster care and adoptive case workers and learned how to write home studies. She earned her Master’s Degree in Social Work from The University of Texas at Arlington. From there she continued to work with children and families in multiple capacities at My Health My Resources (MHMR) in Tarrant County. Most recently, she worked as the Family Engagement Specialist for Saint Louise House where her efforts went towards developing engagement initiatives for adults and families and overseeing the admissions process from start to finish.

As the Director of Community Partnerships you can find Cristal, engaging communities and collaboratives, raising awareness surrounding the needs of families within the child welfare system, and building relationships with amazing organizations that are serving children, youth, and families who are impacted by the child welfare system.

When Cristal is not working, she spends a lot of time with her friends and family. Cristal moved to Austin five years ago and still enjoys seeing what this great city has to offer. She enjoys going on hikes, trying new coffee shops and restaurants.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Look at these stories and know what a difference it makes to be a service volunteer, an emergency placement home, or a long-term foster home for a child in need.

  • Alexandria

    Formerly in Foster Care

    As a youth formerly in foster care, Alexandria expresses why volunteers can make a huge difference in a child’s life.

  • Megan

    The Settlement Home for Children - Foster Adoption Program Director

    Our Partner organizations see first-hand the need for more volunteers and foster families in Central Texas. There are so many ways you can help.

  • Isabel

    Volunteer

    Isabel has been a bed time reader at Helping Hand Home for 12 years. She thinks volunteers bring hope to the children.

  • Kristen & Ryan

    Foster Parents

    Kristen and Ryan White talk about adopting their fourth child and continuing to foster children in the community.

  • Jessica

    Foster Mom

    Children placed in foster care experience a significant amount of trauma. Jessica discusses how trauma-informed training helped equip her to become a foster mom.

  • Isaac

    Former Foster Parent

    Mr. Joaquin was a foster parent to more than 250 children over a 21 year period. He is very grateful for the love and energy that the children gave him and his wife.