Let Foster Help You

Foster Cares Fund

What can we do to reduce the negative impacts for those who experience long appointment wait times for mental health therapy? Since Foster passed, that has been the primary topic we hoped to find a solution for, and how the Foster Cares Fund was founded.  The Foster Cares Fund was created to honor the life of Foster Atwood; an intelligent, endearing, resilient and kind young man that died by suicide at young age of 19.  Beneath Foster's handsome, smiling face and sweet persona, deep turmoil built under the tremendous weight of anxiety and depression. Foster reached out for help and fought so hard to overcome the anxiety and depression that made life feel impossible and hopeless, but ultimately and tragically, the depression won. The hope is that the Foster Cares Fund will serve as a beacon of hope for individuals that need professional support as they're working through the very treatable but overwhelming distress caused by anxiety, depression and the other mental health maladies in our world. The fund will provide free mental health services to those who need financial assistance. Services are provided by licensed, professional therapists and counselors, and social workers who are trained in evidence-based practices and tools that heal. Mental health needs do not discriminate; they do not impact only certain types of people. Mental health needs are as universal and varied as physical health needs and we want you to know that there is hope and help.

The Foster Cares Fund was proudly established in partnership with Foster’s Voice, The Gray Matters Collective, and QC Counselor in 2022, with Transitions Mental Health joining in 2024. The main fundraiser for the Foster Cares Fund is the annual Starry Night Gala, hosted by Foster's Voice and The Gray Matters Collective. In the first 2 years of this event, the community came together to raise nearly $100,000, with 100% of these funds going directly to the Foster Cares Fund for FREE mental health services in the Quad Cities! To utilize the Foster Cares Fund, simply call and request an appointment at QC Counselor or Transitions Mental Health and mention your wish to use the fund.

The Foster Cares Fund is 100% funded by your donations and fundraising through our annual Starry Night Gala. If you are passionate about mental health and wish to support this specific fund, donate here: https://givebutter.com/FosterCaresFund