We have worked with Austin Angels for years and as a partner, I can tell you they go above and beyond to ensure their youth in care feel the love they deserve. They are by far one of the best nonprofits to work alongside in the child welfare space! Go Austin Angels!
I have the privilege of being a Dare to Dream mentor through Austin Angels. This past year I have met two wonderful foster children and their families. The love and support I have felt from the Dare to Dream case managers has been amazing.They consistently reach out to ask how they can support mentors, they provide resources and practical, relevant tips for mentoring, and they genuinely have the kids' best interest in mind at all times. All of these things empower Dare to Dream mentors to be the best resources they can be for their mentees.
We had an opportunity to take in 4 very young children that we had babysit for in the past. CPS gave us 24 hours to come up with everything we needed or they were going to split the kids up and put in separate homes. We did not want to see these children separated. They had been through enough. We did not have the funds to do all of CPS request in that time frame. A friend suggest I call Austin Angles. I had never heard of them before but I decided to try and talk to them. With in a few hours they had cribs, car seats diapers clothes everything we needed. We just broke down and cried relief and happy tears. These amazing children are all growing up together and they are now our children. Thanks to Austin Angels we are a family. Austin Angels we love you.
Austin Angels has been such a joy to work with! I am a volunteer for the Dare to Dream program and was paired with the most wonderful girl as my mentee. My case manager has been with me every step of the way, offering support and tips! They also give you many opportunities to expand your knowledge of working with kids in the foster care system. This program is so important to the development of these children and I’m so proud to serve as a part of Austin Angels!
I had never heard of Austin Angels until I took in my grandsons. It was me or A foster care family would take them. As you can imagine dealing and navigating the foster-care/kinship care process was a huge stressful task. My CPS case mgr recommended the boys to Austin Angels. I didn’t know what to expect. But from the first time I met Katherine, it was unforgettably awesome. Katherine was so friendly and personable and wanted to know the our whole story. She Took her time to get to know me and the boys, but better yet my daughter would be included. She was very knowledgeable about the foster care system, and helped me to know what to expect. The love box was the best thing! Every item was thoughtfully bought or picked for my needs or for the boys or my daughter. They offered to help w birthday parties or birthday cake. The frequent calls from our mentor or Katherine always came at the right time either offering advice or just a listening ear. Austin Angels helped w a few months of martial arts for one of the boys, gift cards, back to school supplies PLUS the love boxes! We Loved our mentors, who took the boys out a few times and spent time w them. . It wasn’t always about the kids AA remembered to celebrate moms on Mother’s Day with a gift. Everything was always so personal and we never felt like just another family in the system. I can’t say enough about Austin Angels in helping us through a very difficult time. I didn’t have to do it alone.
Foster care is complex. It's hard on families, it's hard on kiddos in the system and can leave everyone feeling so alone. Foster Angels is amazing. They pair foster families with families looking to walk alongside you. We're in the love box program (families commit to 1 visit and 1 box....or some kind of support). Our family has truly become family. They have 3 wonderful children just a bit older than mine. The kids have a blast playing with them and look up to them. I can reach out to our family when things are tough, or to rave about my kiddos and how well their doing, or ask for guidance as a family that has recently been in this time of life. We get together and have play dates / share food ( a bit more complex during the covid heavy times). They support us through so many ways...from sending basics (we made an amazon list so it's brands/stuff my kids go through most) or by getting special gifts for the kids. The biggest thing is that Austin Angels stays in touch with us all. Coordinating yearly events and connecting us to community events happening throughout the year. They support our entire family. We love our Angels family. They are truly family to us now. Thank you Austin Angels for identifying a true gap and support and filling it with love :)
I am a Love Box volunteer for Austin Angels. It has been such a joy to get to know and love on a family through the program! It is such an honor to get to walk alongside such incredible caregivers and kids as they navigate foster care! I love love love doing this and can't recommend joining the love box program enough!
Austin Angels is amazing! The staff has been so helpful and supportive during my foster care journey. My case manager checks in consistently to see how my foster son and I are doing, and lets us know about fun (and free!) events that are coming up. My Love Box volunteer is awesome. She comes over each month to babysit, and my foster son loves hanging out with her. I am so thankful for all of the support we have received from everyone at Austin Angels.
I am a foster parent who benefits from Austin Angels' programs. My Love Box leader helps with babysitting and Austin Angels has helped me with a lot of the practical needs that come with fostering, especially with my first placement. My case manager always makes time to listen to me, ask questions, and remember important stuff that's happening in my life/my child's case. I am grateful for the extra support!
Austin Angels is such an amazing organization! I am a love box leader and let me say that I love Madeline! She has been so supportive every step of the way. From our very first interaction where she informed me about their programs, to our last where she continues to empower me to be the best volunteer I can be for this family. She is always so positive, upbeat, and honest. She always responds in a timely manner, is a great listener, and offers sage wisdom. Also if she doesn't have the answer she will find it.
There are so many wonderful things I could say about Austin Angels, but they are truly making an impact on children, youth, and families in the foster community.
Austin Angels is an amazing organization. I love how easy it is to work with them. They allow you to pick the cause that you like the most and then allow you to give to that cause or be hands on. They are also good with kid volunteers. They focus on local foster care children, military families and the homeless. I highly recommend you look into them www.austinangels.com