Since 2016, Foster Village has created a supportive community for Austin families interacting with the child welfare system.

The inspiration

CEO and founder Chrystal Smith said the organization was born out of her own family’s experience as a licensed foster home. She witnessed the support that was missing for individuals involved in the foster care experience firsthand.

“There were a lot of gaps in the system for the kids and a lack of support for the caregivers,” Smith said. “We got together with other foster parents in the community and tried to mobilize the community to come alongside these kids and families and help bridge the gaps.”

What’s special about it?


Foster Village offers a variety of physical and mental resources to families, including its resource centers.

Smith said the resource center provides families with essential items when children are placed in a new home. Typical items include car seats, clothing and toiletries, which can cost an estimated $500-$600 per welcome pack.

More details

Additionally, caregivers are connected with ongoing therapeutic support services offered through the organization’s monthly support gatherings and weekly programs.


“It’s a safe place for these caregivers to connect with others who get it,” Smith said. “Caring for kids in foster care can be really hard emotionally from the sense of other people not being able to relate to the same experience.”

Smith said the gatherings not only help build a sense of supportive community, but also give the nonprofit a chance to help caregivers in other ways: giving tools on how to navigate trauma-related behaviors, provide advice on how to build relationships with biological parents and teach them how to navigate the child welfare system.

“Our slogan that we use is ‘community beyond the system,’” Smith said. “Foster Village serves as a community hub of support to ensure these kids and families have the lasting support that they need to move out of the system.”

The impact


Foster Village has served over 13,000 children in the greater Austin area since its founding and has provided over $8 million in direct support to children and families, Smith said.

Volunteers play a large role in the nonprofit’s mission. From providing child care to on-call volunteers who drop off welcome packs when kids are placed in a new home, Smith said there are areas for everyone to get involved.